Anoxia
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Recovery and Outcome from Anoxia
A number of variables are used to predict outcome and eventual prognosis
following an anoxic event. Perkins and Ashwal
(1999) have indicated that there are both prehospital and postresuscitation
factors that determine injury. Once the child becomes medically stable, several
factors determine to what capacity the child can recover. One factor used to
predict outcome is coma duration; the longer a child is in a coma, the less
promising the outcome. Research has shown that coma longer than 24 hours either
results in death or greatly reduces a child's chances for good recovery. Another
factor involved in predicting outcome pupillary reactivity; when both eyes have
"fixed", the prognosis is very poor. Some studies also suggest that patients
younger than 25 have a better recovery rate. Cause of the anoxic brain injury is
unrelated to the child's outcome although children with anoxia following cardiac
arrest (irrespective of the reason for the arrest appear to have the worst
outcomes. Perkins and
Ashwal (1999). Imaging studies such as CT/ MRI are methods with which to
visualize the brain damage yet these methods alone cannot predict outcomes.
Other methods such as EEGs and evoked
potentials are also used to demonstrate brain activity which helps determine the
severity of event.