In some instances of babies born with HIE, the cause is never determined. Children who are diagnosed with HIE can range from mild to severe in the amount of damage that has occurred. EEGs, MRIs and CAT scans are used to determine the severity and location of the brain injury. This site also lists the three types of HIE, mild, moderate and severe, and gives an explanation of each. This damage can be an underlying cause of cerebral palsy, mental retardation, dysphagia, cortical vision impairment or blindness, hearing impairment or deafness, microcephaly, temperature instability, chronic lung disease, and seizures .
Prognosis given is often bleak in terms of the child's future abilities or quality of life.
However, just like any other child, a child with disabilities is unique in his or her strengths and needs. There is no treatment for HIE per se. Treatment in the form of therapies can help with muscle tone and control, oral muscle development, and vision in the case of cortical vision impairment. Traditional therapies include physical therapy for gross motor control, occupational therapy for small muscle control, and speech and language therapy. Oral stimulation is a form of therapy that is done by either the OT or the SLT depending on their particular qualifications.