Resuscitation at Birth Increases Risk for Low IQ

Neonatal resuscitation might contribute more to low IQ than previously appreciated.

Hypoxic encephalopathy after neonatal resuscitation has been associated with subsequent cognitive impairment. To further examine cognitive outcomes after neonatal resuscitation, investigators in the U.K. studied intelligence quotient (IQ) scores at a mean age of 8 years in 5953 children who were born after 36 weeks’ gestation and who were enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study. Overall, 426 infants had been resuscitated, 26 of whom had had symptoms of encephalopathy.

Compared with children who had not been resuscitated, children who had been resuscitated had significantly increased risk for low IQ scores (<80) at age 8 years. After adjustment for potentially confounding risk factors, risk for low IQ was elevated in resuscitated children wit…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)