Perinatal Cyanosis: Long-Term Cognitive Sequelae and Behavioral Consequences

Research suggests that serious perinatal asphyxia leading to long-term neurological consequences occurs in 1 to 6 out of every 1,000 newborns (Barkovich et al., 1998; Mcguire, 2007). In serious cases, encephalopathy follows the asphyxia and resultant hypoxia, leading to additional insult to the brain. The effects of brief or transient hypoxia and cyanosis have not been well researched. This study involved comparing children who had a brief perinatal episode to those who have not. The research hypothesis is that those children who have experienced a brief perinatal cyanotic episode will subsequently have cognitive and behavioral issues during childhood that will be measurable on neuropsychological testing or result in increased clinical diagnoses. A sample (N = 52) of school-aged children (M-age = 10.5 years) was divided into those who had had a brief perinatal cyanotic episode (n = 14) and those who had not (n = 38). On neuropsychological testing, data from the tests administered did not suggest any negative effects of a brief cyanotic episode. The cyanotic group was significantly more likely to have a developmental disorder (speech or motor delay) and subsequently be diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Given the high incidence of ADHD in the cyanotic group, it may be reasonable to construe cyanosis as a risk factor.