Evaluation of HIE
Sarnat's Scale is common method to evaluate the degree of HIE in an infant. This scale
was initially presented several years ago in a small study. The advantage of the scale
is it uses physiologic parameters to define a common vocabulary to describe an infant's
condition. It is summarized below.
Sarnat & Sarnat Classification of HIE
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
(Mild) (Moderate) (Severe)
SENSORIUM Jittery, irritable Lethargic Stuporous
Hyperalert Dulled sense
MUSCLE TONE Normal Hypotonic at rest Flaccid
Hypertonic on stim Unresponsive
POSTURE Mild distal Strong distal Intermittent
flexion flexion decerebrate
STRETCH
REFLEXES Overactive Decreased Absent
MORO REFLEX Strong Incomplete Absent
SUCK REFLEX Normal Weak Absent
SEIZURES None Focal or multifocal Decerebrate
posturing^