Abstract

Outcome following hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a neurodegenerative process caused by prolonged asphyxiation during birth, can vary between minimal impairment and cerebral palsy, mental retardation, or death (30%) (McCulloch, Taylor, & Whyte, 1991). Prognosis after HIE is often difficult to establish because traditional predictors, such as Sarnat scores, Apgar scores, and pH, do not always account for adequate variance in outcome. The prognostic utility of MR Spectroscopy in the pathogenesis of asphyxia is promising (Wyatt, 1994). Innovative research indicates that MR Spectroscopy can accurately predict outcome at one year in 91% of neonates with central nervous system injuries (Holshouser et al., 1997). The current study examined neuropsychological functioning following birth asphyxia-related HIE in nine children 3 years 4 months old to 7 years 8 months old (M = 5 years old, SD = 20 months) using ^HMRS as a predictor of outcome in the following areas: (1) memory and learning; (2) language; (3) visuospatial; (4) attention and executive functioning; and (5) sensorimotor abilities. Results found that both NAA/Cre and NAA/Cho were not correlated with outcome. Elevated Cho/Cre and lactate, however, were the most common finding among more severe HIE, with both metabolites correlated with all outcome areas.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Kiti Freier

Second Advisor

Todd Burley

Third Advisor

Barbara Holshouser

Fourth Advisor

Stanford Shu

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Level

M.A.

Year Degree Awarded

2003

Date (Title Page)

3-2003

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Infant; Newborn; Neuropsychological Tests; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy -- methods; Magnetic Resonance Imaging -- methods -- trends; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain -- congenital -- diagnosis; Postnatal Care -- methods -- trends; Prenatal Care -- methods -- trends; Birth Injuries -- diagnosis -- etiology; Brain -- growth and development; Asphysia Neonatorum -- diagnosis -- etiology

Type

Thesis

Page Count

viii; 92

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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Psychology Commons

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