Developmental motor outcomes of children aged nine to twenty-four months with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy based on the Thompson score
Date
2019
Authors
Nicolson, Tasha
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Abstract
Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the occurrence of impaired
neurological function in a new-born, associated with asphyxia at birth. It may be
considered mild, moderate or severe depending on the presence or absence of
various clinical signs. The incidence of HIE in South Africa ranges from 0.4 – 3.7
per 1000 live births. In the moderate and severe form, HIE is known to cause
functional motor deficits, cognitive deficits, intellectual impairment, language,
learning and executive skills limitations and/or social impairments.
This study was a quantitative cross-sectional study investigating the motor
outcomes, as measured by the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales: second
edition (PDMS-2), of 28 children with various severities of HIE. The severity of the
HIE was measured by the Thompson HIE score. Participants were between the
ages of nine and twenty-four months and attended the Mowbray Maternity Hospital
Neurodevelopmental High-Risk Clinic. There were thirteen participants with mild
HIE, seven participants with moderate HIE and eight participants with severe HIE.
Demographic and perinatal factors were comparable across groups. Results of the
study showed that all participants functioned within the normal range for all
subtests of the PDMS-2. The mild and moderate HIE groups were comparable in
all areas and therefore were combined and compared to the severe group. This
comparison showed that the severe HIE group performed worse in all subtests with
small to large effect sizes. It is therefore important for occupational therapists to
ensure that children with severe HIE, according to the Thompson HIE score
receive comprehensive assessment and follow up treatment. This assessment and
treatment should focus on fine motor development, particularly VMI.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of
the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Occupational
Therapy
Johannesburg, 2019