Neurocognitive Outcomes in Term Infants with Neonatal Encephalopathy

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) encompasses a range of disorders presenting with altered brain function in neonates, often leading to long-term neurodevelopmental deficits. Characterized by symptoms such as altered consciousness, poor tone, and seizures, NE occurs in 1–6 per 1,000 live term births and is a major cause of neurodevelopmental disabilities. Although many cases relate to hypoxic–ischemic injury, other causes include metabolic disorders, infections, and congenital anomalies. The introduction of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has improved outcomes for infants with hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), significantly reducing the incidence of severe neurodevelopmental disabilities. However, variations in practices and results persist, and adjunct therapies such as erythropoietin have not shown effective benefits. The chapter discusses the spectrum of neurocognitive impairments following HIE, predictors of outcomes based on brain injury patterns, and highlights ongoing research to understand the long-term impact of these interventions on affected individuals.