Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a Neuroprotective Modality in Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury With Motor Disability

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a Neuroprotective Modality in Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury With Motor Disability

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a neuroprotective intervention in children with acquired brain injury.

Pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) represents a significant challenge in modern medicine, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches to enhance recovery and minimize long-term neurological deficits.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which delivers oxygen at pressures exceeding atmospheric levels, has emerged as a promising neuroprotective intervention for various forms of pediatric brain injury, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), anoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (AIE), and stroke.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 4-12 years.
• Diagnosed with pediatric acquired brain injury confirmed by neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging.
• Presence of neurological sequelae (e.g., cardiac arrest, intracranial hemorrhage, central nervous system infection, stroke, tumor, hypoxia).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Positive family history of degenerative brain insults.

• Behavioral problems.

• Contraindications to hyperbaric oxygen therapy :

  • Active epilepsy.
  • Respiratory insufficiency.
  • Uncontrolled heart failure.
  • Eustachian tube dysfunction.
  • Tympanic membrane rupture.
  • Mechanical ventilation dependency.