How is HIE diagnosed?
The delivering medical team may suspect a newborn has Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) as soon as the baby is delivered, based on physical signs such as very low muscle tone, poor color, trouble breathing, or the need to be resuscitated or intubated. However, HIE cannot be diagnosed based on physical appearance alone, and will not be confirmed until the results of bloodwork and a brain MRI have been completed and interpreted.
