Ischemia of the brain in newborns is 60%, and according to some sources up to 80% of all damage to the central nervous system. Such a large percentage of pathology is caused by unfavorable environmental conditions, and by the diseases of women during pregnancy, the manifestation of the pathology of pregnancy, and, paradoxically enough, by the intensive development of perinatal technologies of nursing and the development of modern resuscitation. Those children who were doomed got a chance to survive. But this did not free them from the possible formation of polyorganic lesions, cerebral dysfunctions of the central nervous system or gross motor disorders (cerebral palsy).
What is brain ischemia?
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy consists of two components: hypoxia and ischemia.
- Hypoxia may be due to insufficient intake of oxygen to the baby during pregnancy (placental abnormalities with a violation of blood flow in it, cord cord entanglement or banal iron deficiency anemia in the mother) or with respiratory disorders in the postnatal period.
- Ischemia manifests itself as a violation of the cardiovascular system. Most often this happens when there is postnatal arterial hypotension, the development of acidosis, deficiency of electrolytes.
A complex mechanism of damage to cells of the nervous system is launched. The most unpleasant thing in this situation is that this process can be delayed in time. The episode of hypoxia or ischemia in newborns is far behind, and the onset of pathological changes has already been made. In addition, the child is not fully formed compensatory mechanisms for the long-term maintenance of normal cerebral blood flow. Very quickly, a breakdown occurs, which leads to cerebral edema and subsequent necrosis or apoptosis of the cells. The consequences can be most unpredictable.
Treatment of ischemia
To minimize the consequences, in 2005, a protocol was adopted to help newborns with brain ischemia "Principles of stabilizing the state of newborns after the asphyxia". Depending on the degree of cerebral ischemia, different treatment regimens are offered.
Excitation or CNS depression is characteristic for ischemia of the first degree of newborns and lasts no more than 5-7 days. For an average degree - more than 7 days with adherence to seizures, intracranial hypertension and internal organs. A severe degree leads to decerebration and coma.