Aims The aims of the study were to assess the ability of a simple encephalopathy score to predict neurodevelopmental outcome in term infants exposed to hypoxia-ischemia in the perinatal period, and to compare this method with the well established Sarnat staging system.

Methods The encephalopathy score incorporates seven items which reflect neurological functioning, and is designed to be quick and straightforward to administer at the bedside. Encephalopathy scores were assigned retrospectively to 50 infants who were exposed to perinatal hypoxia-ischemia, using information documented in their neonatal records. A score was obtained for the first, second, third and seventh day of life, and for the day of discharge. Sarnat stages were also assigned retrospectively to each infant, and the duration of each stage was determined.

At one year of age, the 45 surviving infants were evaluated using a full neurological examination and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. The neurological findings were expressed as a neuromotor score.

Results Encephalopathy scores, on each day of life studied, were significantly correlated with neuromotor and developmental outcome at one year of age (p<0.05). The duration of Sarnat stage 2 or above was also highly correlated with one year outcome (p< 0.01).

Conclusions These results imply that for high risk infants, outcome following hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can be predicted within the first days of life, using a simple clinical assessment.