KnowHIE is an educational resource created to help families and caregivers better understand hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (also known as HIE or birth asphyxia) and feel more informed throughout their child’s journey.
What is HIE?
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain injury that occurs when a newborn’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood flow during or around the time of birth, and then experiences damaging inflammation after circulation is restored.
Causes
HIE may follow an event that interrupts oxygen and blood flow to the baby. Sometimes the cause is clear. In other cases, it may not be possible to identify one specific event.
Outcomes
HIE affects every baby differently, and complications may not emerge for days, weeks, or even years after delivery. Follow-up care is important to identify these complications and develop a care plan.
Treatment & What to Expect
Experience in the NICU: Therapeutic hypothermia, or cooling therapy, is the standard treatment for eligible newborns with moderate-to-severe HIE in the United States today.
Cooling Therapy
Therapeutic hypothermia is typically provided in a specialized NICU with the equipment and trained team needed to safely cool, monitor, and rewarm the baby. Cooling slows some of the processes that contribute to ongoing brain injury. It can reduce the risk of death, but it cannot prevent every possible effect of HIE.
You are not alone!
Support & Resources
Your Support Network May Include
- Your child’s medical team
- Therapists and early-intervention professionals
- Social workers and family-support specialists
- Parent and caregiver communities, such as Hope for HIE