Positive fluid balance is associated with death and severity of brain injury in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Objective To investigate the association between fluid balance during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) and severity of brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Study design This is a secondary analysis of data from a prospective observational study in neonates with HIE. Daily net positive fluid balance during TH was investigated for association with the adverse primary outcome of death or moderate-to-severe brain injury on MRI using multivariable logistic regression. Results Of the 150 neonates included, 50 suffered adverse outcome and had significantly higher net positive fluid balance (53 vs. 19 ml/kg/day, p < 0.01) during first 24 hours of TH. Neonates with a net positive fluid balance (>25 ml/kg/day) at 24 hours of TH had 3.4 (95% CI 1.3-9) times higher odds of adverse outcome. Conclusions Positive fluid balance during TH in neonates with HIE is independently associated with death or moderate-to-severe brain injury on MRI.

Automated summary

The study investigated the association between fluid balance during therapeutic hypothermia and severity of brain injury on MRI in neonates with HIE. Positive fluid balance during TH was independently associated with death or moderate-to-severe brain injury on MRI.