Why the term neonatal encephalopathy should be preferred over neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

The unresponsiveness of the full-term newborn is sometimes attributed to asphyxia, even when no severe physiologic disturbance occurred during labor and delivery. The controversy about whether to use the name “hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy” or “newborn encephalopathy” has recently flared in publications directed toward pediatricians and neurologists. In this clinic opinion piece, I discuss the importance to obstetricians of this decision and explain why “newborn encephalopathy” should be the default term.