Systematic review of terminology, definitions, and eligibility criteria in trials of neonatal encephalopathy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and perinatal asphyxia
Our article demonstrated significant variations in the terminology used to describe the condition of NE/HIE/PA, which demonstrates a need for more consistent definitions in terminology. A broad but meaningful definition of the condition would provide an inclusive approach while permitting subclassifications within the condition, and permitting comparisons and benchmarking across different settings. Developing consistency across these areas, as far as possible, would allow improved interpretation of interventions on long-term prognosis and greater generalizability of trial results.
Authors
- Fiona Quirke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9155-5543)
- Donna M. Ferriero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0560-9045)
- Petek Eylül Taneri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0399-3584)
- Cynthia F. Bearer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4809-2250)
- Elaine Finucane (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6052-7205)
- Courtney J. Wusthoff (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1882-5567)
- Aoife Branagan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5220-5372)
- Beccy Maeso
- Geraldine B. Boylan
- Professor Nadia Badawi
- Betsy Pilon
- Sonia Lomeli Bonifacio
- Karin B. Nelson
- Christopher Gale
- Tetyana H. Nesterenko
- Tim Hurley
- Mary D’Alton
- Robert McCarthy
- Mohamed El-Dib
- Alistair J. Gunn
- Deirdre M. Murray
- Nicola J. Robertson
- Graham King
- Sarah B. Mulkey
- Ulrike Mietzsch
- Linda S. de Vries
- Lina Chalak
- AAoife Branagan
- Frank Harry Bloomfield
- Sarah Kay
- Chris Gale
- Karen Walker
- Pierre Gressens
- Suzann K. Campbell
- Steering Group for DEFiNE (Definition of Neonatal Encephalopathy)
- Eleanor J. Molloy
Institutions
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- Cleveland Clinic (US)
- Children's National (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- University of Auckland (NZ)
- Inserm (FR)
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
- Délégation Paris 7 (FR)
- University of California, San Francisco (US)
- Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway (IE)
- George Washington University (US)
- Trinity College (CA)
- Université Paris Cité (FR)
- Trinity College Dublin (IE)
- University of Limerick (IE)
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance (AU)
- University College Cork (IE)
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (AU)
- Tallaght University Hospital (IE)
- Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin (IE)
- University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
- University of Illinois Chicago (US)
- Health Research Board (IE)
- Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital (IE)
- Infant (IE)
- Seattle Children's Hospital (US)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (US)
- London Women's Clinic (GB)
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (GB)
- Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (AU)
- Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital (US)
- University School (US)
- Trials Methodology Research Network (IE)
- Wilhelmina Children's Hospital (NL)
- Hope Foundation (US)
- University of Southampton (GB)
- NeuroDiderot (FR)
- University College London (GB)
- Case Western Reserve University (US)
- Columbia University (US)
- University of California, Davis (US)
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (US)
- Stanford University (US)
- University of Edinburgh (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pediatric Research
- Published
- 2026-02-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04750-2
- Primary Topic
- Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Irish Research eLibrary