Brain injury in children and babies

PAEDIATRIC CEREBRIAL HYPOXIA


A reduction in the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain affecting babies and children

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What is cerebrial hypoxia?

Cerebrial hypoxia is a reduction in the amount of oxygen supplied to the brain. The most common brain injuries are from falls, assaults, or road traffic accidents. During childbirth it can be caused by a pinched umbilical cord. In premature babies it's a result of underdeveloped lungs where the baby is unable to manage breathing on their own.

Need to know

Symptoms of cerebrial hypoxia to watch out for include:

  • decline in self control
  • weakened limbs
  • jerky motions.

In the most severe cases, a lack of consciousness that looks like sleep, but cannot be wakened.

There are number of tests that can confirm a hypoxic brain injury. These tests include:

Other more thorough tests include:

Treatment is provided on a long term basis, through our rehabilitation programmes put the patient and their families at the very centre of care, treatment and discharge planning.

We take into account cultural and spiritual beliefs, and values and lifestyle, before creating a rehabilitation programme from which goals are made.

We offer:

  • interdisciplinary team working on patient-centred care
  • patient led goals setting
  • key worker as a single point of contact
  • case conferences between the patient, their family, your consultant and key team members
  • education planning relating to the patient's health and plans for the future discharge planning and ongoing support
  • Brain surgery (neurosurgery).

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.