Predicting outcome in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury

Predicting the neurologic outcome of a child who has sustained a hypoxic-is chemic insult continues to be a common dilemma faced by emergency room phys icians, intensivists, and pediatric neurologists. Important data from histo ry and physical examination are crucial for the treating physicians to make these predictions. Occasionally, ancillary studies will be helpful as well . This article summarizes the clinical approach to a pediatric patient with data from the history, neurologic examination, and several ancillary studi es that will help treating physicians with these predictions.