Neonatal asphyxia remains a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disabilities despite advancements in perinatal care. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), a severe outcome of asphyxia, impacts 1-3 infants per 1,000 live births annually in industrialized nations, causing long-term neurological impairments such as cognitive dysfunction, motor deficits, and sensory impairments. Early identification of at-risk newborns is critical to initiate timely interventions and improve outcomes. Olfactory perception, crucial for newborns' adaptation to extrauterine life, involves odor identification and memory. Odor perception is known to be impaired in adults with neurological disorders and in animal models of brain injury. However, no clinical studies have assessed olfactory function in newborns with signs of asphyxia. Olfactory memory, which can be evaluated through habituation to repeated odors, may provide insights into early brain function. This study aims to evaluate whether olfactory memory can serve as an early marker of neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns with signs of asphyxia. By assessing physiological, behavioral, and neurological responses to olfactory stimuli, the study seeks to explore the differences between infants with mild asphyxia and those with moderate-to-severe asphyxia.
Age range
6 Hours – 72 Hours
Sex
ALL
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Autonomic Responses to Olfactory Stimulation in Asphyxiated Newborns.
Timeframe: during the Olfactory Testing
Breathing patterns in Asphyxiated Newborns.
Timeframe: during the Olfactory Testing
Cerebral functioning in Asphyxiated Newborns.
Timeframe: Within 6 to 72 hours of life
Changes in olfactory evoked potentials (EOPs) in Asphyxiated Newborns.
Timeframe: during the Olfactory Testing
Spectral analysis of brain oscillatory rhythms to monitor changes in global brain activity.
Timeframe: Within 6 to 72 hours of life
Changes in behavioral responsens to Olfactory Stimulation in Asphyxiated Newborns.
Timeframe: Within 6 to 72 hours of life
Highlight a different activation within brain areas involved in olfactory perception, memory, and learning through fMRI.
Timeframe: Within 6 to 72 hours of life