Observation on therapeutic effect in treatment of hypoxemic infantile encephalopathy by acupuncture plus hyperbaric oxygen

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus hyperbaric oxygen in treating hypoxemic infantile encephalopathy (HIE). Methods Fifty-nine HIE children were divided into treatment (33 cases) and control (26 cases) groups. Both groups were treated by basic therapy of removing acidosis, controlling cerebral edema and convulsion, and intravenous drip of cerebrolysin or citicoline. The treatment group was treated by acupuncture plus hyperbaric oxygen and the control group was treated by hyperbaric oxygen only. Results The total effective rate was 97.0% in the treatment group and 73.1% in the control group. Statistical analysis showed a highly significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusion Acupuncture plus hyperbaric oxygen was better than simple hyperbaric oxygen in treating HIE. Its main manifestations were shortening the course of disease, increasing cure rate, decreasing death rate and reducing the occurrence of sequelae. HIE children should be treated as early as possible.