Does brain volume reduction after mild hypoxia in near-term babies affect quality of life in adolescence?

We studied the cohort of adolescents, who experienced mild to moderate hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in neonatal period. We asessed their health status, performed the EEG and MRI, including the DTI and fMRI, which enabled to study the regional volume differences. We compared the cohort to a healthy, gender and age matched group of medical students. Volume loss in specific brain regions was observed, hippocampus and right temporal lobe being most affected. Despite health issues, self-reported health status was better in the cohort of hypoxia-ischaemia than in a healthy group. Response shift was integrated into explanation of this phenomenon.