BABIES with brain injuries could be benefitted by research carried out at Southampton Children's Hospital (SHC).

It comes after £7,800 was fundraised by supporters of the hospital, enabling a team of clinicians and scientists to focus on neonatal Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE).

HIE is a brain injury that develops in babies when there is lack of oxygen reaching the brain around the time of birth.

Symptoms include having seizures, struggling with breathing and low blood pressure.

The hospital will also look at how the brain injury leads to later developments for those affected.

Treatment for HIE involves cooling the baby's body temperature over a period of 72 hours, which is delivered through specialist neonatal intensive care units.

This method improves survival rates and reduces the risk of severe neurological impairment, such as cerebral palsy and severe developmental delay.

However, affected babies remain at risk of more problems which can affect school progress and emotional function.

Dr Brigitte Vollmer, associate professor of Neonatal and Paediatric Neurology at Southampton Children’s Hospital said: “HIE is a fairly common neurological problem in the newborn period and it has significant long term effects on the affected baby and the whole family.

"With the funding we’ve received from SHC’s supporters, we have a real chance at improving the prediction of long term outcomes for the affected babies and their families by finding better tools that we can use within this period. We are so excited to begin this work.”

Jason Shauness, Director of SHC, said: “Today’s funding has enabled a team of dedicated clinicians and scientists to begin research for a project that will deliver a brighter future for new-born’s and their families that are affected by HIE. Southampton Hospital Charity is committed to enhancing the world class facilities provided at University Hospital Southampton and we’re thrilled to be a part of this pioneering project.”

HIE affects around 1 to 3 in 1,000 newborns in the UK.