What is Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy?

Posted on 27 March 2026 in Medical Negligence

4 April is Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE) awareness day and Medical Negligence Partner and Solicitor, Clair Hemming, looks at what HIE is, what the symptoms are, the diagnosis and treatment options that are available, and what the long term effects can mean for those who have suffered it.

What is HIE?

HIE occurs when the oxygen and blood flow to a baby's brain are restricted before, during, or after birth (it can happen in older children and adults too).
It can cause injury to all organs, particularly the brain.
The severity ranges from mild, moderate, or severe (grade I, II, or III) and is dependent upon how long the brain was without oxygen.

What are the symptoms of HIE?

Depending on the type of HIE and the treatment, some symptoms may present immediately, and some may take longer (even years) to present.
Immediate symptoms can include abnormal movements (seizures), eye-rolling, irritability, and poor sleep and feeding.
The full extent of any brain injury caused by neonatal HIE is not usually apparent immediately and long-term effects are hard to predict.
The injury to the brain is an evolving process, which can be disrupted by cooling (further details below).
The full impact may not become apparent until a baby/child is not achieving certain milestones.

Diagnosis and treatment options

Physical tests and brain imaging are used to diagnose suspected cases of HIE; in some cases, children will have multiple scans to determine how the HIE is progressing (if it is).
There is currently no cure for HIE.
Most babies with mild HIE recover quickly and fully and will be monitored to determine whether any treatment is required.
Those suffering from moderate or severe HIE will likely have cooling treatment. This is started as soon as possible and will lower the baby's temperature for around 72 hours. The aim of this is to slow the effects of the damage and limit the extent of the brain injury.

Long term effects

The long-term effects of HIE are entirely dependent on the child, the extent of the HIE, and the response to treatment.
There will likely be ongoing monitoring needed.
Whilst some babies with HIE make a full recovery and have no long-term difficulties, others may experience physical and neurological symptoms which could impact them achieving milestones and could result in a diagnosis of conditions such as cerebral palsy.

A diagnosis of HIE is very frightening for a new parent particularly given that the long-term effects may not be known for some years. As detailed above some cases of mild HIE will not cause any further symptoms but in other cases can result in a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. It is important to remember in each scenario that children develop in their own time and even with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, they can often surpass expectations.

How we can help

If you or your family have suffered because of medical negligence, we will help you to recover appropriate compensation and secure the future.

Contact our legal experts

For help and support for families supporting those with HIE click here

PEEPS HIE Charity

For information about bringing a legal claim click here

Brain Injury Claims

Clair Hemming

Posted by
Clair Hemming
Partner & Solicitor

Recent cases

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Securing damages of £300,000 for a woman who suffered psychiatric harm and gynaecological injuries as a result of negligence during the delivery of her son.

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Settlement Secured for Family After Fatal Surgical Negligence

Recovering damages of £1,615,500 plus annual payments of £55,000 to the family of a woman who died following a negligent failure to pick up on complications arising from surgery.

£1.25M Secured for Severe Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury

Securing damages of £1,250,000 for a young woman who sustained a severe brachial plexus (Erb’s Palsy) injury at birth.

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Negotiating a settlement of £400,000 for physical and psychological injuries suffered during birth during shoulder dystocia.

What our clients say

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My partner and I suffered immeasurably when our little girl sustained an avoidable birth injury…You need a team who really know what they are doing and who genuinely care. The value of our gratitude may never be fully understood, we feel so deeply indebted to the entire Tozers team.

"Settlement of a complex claim… great all the way through, had a high level of expertise, very professional and supportive. There’s no way we could have done it without them, they took so much worry and strain out of the whole thing and were fantastic… we couldn’t be happier."

Anonymous

"After switching to Tozers, Kate took over our case… professional, honest, friendly but most of all supportive... amazing at her job… Kate became like family... She got great results which far exceeded expectations. I will forever be grateful… I genuinely can’t thank you enough."

Louise

"We worked with Clair, Michelle and Hannah for 6 years on my daughters case. They have been knowledgeable helpful and supportive throughout helping us achieve a positive outcome. I highly recommend them in the specialist area of birth trauma especially brachial plexus injury resulting in Erbs Palsy."

Richard

"I contacted Tozers after the death of my husband... I found Helena to be patient, understanding and empathetic going through every detail of the process... I cannot thank her enough for her time, patience and legal expertise in settling my claim..."

Carol

What is Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy?

What is HIE?

What are the symptoms of HIE?

Diagnosis and treatment options

Long term effects

How we can help

Recent cases

£1M Secured for Severe Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury

Settlement for Birth-Related Psychiatric and Gynaecological Injuries

Settlement for Spinal Injury from Epidural Error

Settlement Secured for Cauda Equina Injury in Elderly Patient

Settlement Secured for Family After Fatal Surgical Negligence

£1.25M Secured for Severe Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury

Justice Secured for Neglected Patient

Settlement Secured After Fatal GP Prescribing Error

Claim Against MOD Over Undiagnosed Heart Condition

£400,000 Settlement for Birth Injuries

What our clients say

Client stories

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