Higher parental education was associated with good cognitive outcomes in infants with hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy

Abstract

AbstractAimPredicting neurodevelopmental outcomes in hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains imprecise, despite advanced imaging and neurophysiological tests. We explored the predictive value of socio‐economic status (SES).MethodsThe cohort comprised 93 infants (59% male) with HIE, who had received therapeutic hypothermia. Patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging, and brain injuries were quantified using the Barkovich scoring system. Family SES was self‐reported using a questionnaire. Adverse outcomes were defined as mild to severely delayed development with a score of ≤85 in any domain at 2 years of age, based on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition. Data are presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).ResultsMultiple regression modelling revealed that higher parental education was strongly associated with good cognitive development, when adjusted for gestational age, serum lactate and brain injuries (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.16–4.36). The effect size of parental education (β = 0.786) was higher than one score for any brain injury using the Barkovich scoring system (β = −0.356). The literacy environment had a significant effect on cognitive development in the 21 infants who had brain injuries (OR 40, 95% CI 3.70–1352).ConclusionParental education and the literacy environment influenced cognitive outcomes in patients with HIE.