Ascorbic Acid and Ibuprofen in Infants With Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Ascorbic Acid Combined With Ibuprofen in Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Oxygen radicals and inflammation are important causes for brain injury in neonates following perinatal asphyxia. Animal studies demonstrated potential benefits to the brain when using both of vitamin C and ibuprofen. The efficacy of these 2 drugs when combined in protecting the human brain has not been studied. We aimed in this study to test the hypothesis that a combination of anti-oxidants (vitamin C) and anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) drugs can decrease the brain injury in perinatal asphyxia and improve outcomes when given to infants immediately after birth.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Apgar score at 5 minutes < 6
• Profound metabolic or mixed acidosis with pH < 7 in the initial blood gas
• Evidence of encephalopathy such as coma, seizures or hypotonia
• Evidence of multi-system compromise, in addition to encephalopathy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Major congenital anomalies
• Early sepsis
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Thrombocytopenia