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Preserved speed of processing and memory in infants with a history of moderate neonatal encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia

Journal of Perinatology volume 38, pages 1666–1673 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

Survivors of neonatal encephalopathy (NE) are at risk for impaired cognition. The objective of this study was to assess speed of processing (SOP) and memory in infants with moderate NE.

Study design:

Sample consisted of 17 infants with NE and 23 healthy controls. Visual-evoked potentials (VEP) were assessed at 8 months to assess SOP. Memory was assessed at 12 months using elicited imitation (EI). Memory and SOP had previously been assessed in this cohort in the newborn period.

Results:

Infants with NE had similar SOP and EI performance as controls. Newborn SOP correlated with 8-month SOP in infants with NE, however, neonatal ERP memory measures were not correlated with EI performance at 12 months.

Conclusions:

Infants with moderate NE treated with TH show preserved memory and SOP through 12 months. Early behavioral and electrophysiologic assessments of memory and SOP provide insight into developing cognitive functions in this risk group.

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Acknowledgements

Funding

: This research was funded by a grant from the Center for Neurobehavioral Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. This study was also supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health Award Number UL1TR000114. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Elizabeth P Zorn, Michael K Georgieff & Katie M Pfister

  2. Biostatistical Design and Analysis Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Lei Zhang

  3. Center for Neurobehavioral Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Kristin Sandness, Neely Miller & Michael K Georgieff

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Tracy Riggins

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  1. Elizabeth P Zorn
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  2. Lei Zhang
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  4. Neely Miller
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  6. Michael K Georgieff
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Correspondence to Elizabeth P Zorn.

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Zorn, E.P., Zhang, L., Sandness, K. et al. Preserved speed of processing and memory in infants with a history of moderate neonatal encephalopathy treated with therapeutic hypothermia. J Perinatol 38, 1666–1673 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0253-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-018-0253-1

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