Common HIE Terms and Acronyms

Medical care, therapy, and school services come with a lot of unfamiliar words. Joining the HIE community often feels like learning a whole new language. This guide explains terms you may hear as you navigate life with HIE.

Some abbreviations have more than one meaning. Terms also vary by country, hospital, and school system. If something is unclear, ask: “What does that mean for my child?”

Listing a treatment or approach here explains its name. It does not mean Hope for HIE recommends it or that research supports its use.

You do not need to memorize these terms to take part in your child’s care.

Ask your care team or school team to explain unfamiliar words, write down important information, and describe what it means for your child and family.

Diagnoses and Conditions

Short form	Full term	What it means
HIE	Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy	A brain injury caused by not enough oxygen and blood flow to the brain.
NE	Neonatal encephalopathy	A newborn’s brain is not working as expected. HIE is one possible cause.
ABI	Acquired brain injury	Brain injury acquired after birth. This can include pediatric-acquired HIE.
TBI	Traumatic brain injury	Brain injury caused by an outside force, such as a blow to the head. It is different from an injury caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow.
CP	Cerebral palsy	A group of conditions affecting movement and posture due to injury or differences in the developing brain.
SQCP	Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy	A type of cerebral palsy involving muscle stiffness and movement difficulties in all four limbs.
IS	Infantile spasms	A type of seizure that usually begins in infancy and needs urgent medical assessment.
CVI	Cerebral or cortical visual impairment	Vision difficulties caused by how the brain processes visual information.
DVM	Delayed visual maturation	A delay in the development of visual responses in an infant.
GDD	Global developmental delay	Delays in two or more areas of development in a young child.
ID	Intellectual disability	Differences in intellectual functioning and everyday skills that begin during development.
LD	Learning disability	A term that varies by country. In the U.S., it generally refers to difficulties with specific learning skills, such as reading or math.
ADHD	Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder	A condition affecting attention, activity levels, and impulse control.
ASD	Autism spectrum disorder	A developmental condition involving differences in social communication, behavior, and sensory experiences.
AS	Asperger’s syndrome	An older diagnostic term now generally included within autism spectrum disorder. Some people still use it to describe themselves.
SPD	Sensory processing disorder	A term used to describe difficulty responding to or making sense of sensory information. Its use varies among providers.
GERD	Gastroesophageal reflux disease	Stomach contents flowing back into the esophagus and causing symptoms or complications.
PFD	Pediatric feeding disorder	Feeding difficulties involving health, nutrition, feeding skills, or emotional and social factors.

Tests, Monitoring and Assessments

Short form	Full term	What it means
MRI	Magnetic resonance imaging	A scan that takes detailed pictures of the brain or other parts of the body.
EEG	Electroencephalogram	A test that records the brain’s electrical activity.
cEEG	Continuous electroencephalogram	Records brain activity over time, including to check for seizures.
aEEG	Amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram	A simplified display of brain activity used for monitoring.
vEEG	Video electroencephalogram	Records video and brain activity together to help assess events that may be seizures.
HINE	Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination	A structured exam of a baby’s movements and nervous system.
GMA	General Movements Assessment	An assessment of a young baby’s spontaneous movements.
GMFCS	Gross Motor Function Classification System	Describes how a person with cerebral palsy moves, including mobility support needs.
VFSS	Videofluoroscopic swallow study	An X-ray study showing how food and liquid move during swallowing.
MBS / MBSS	Modified barium swallow / modified barium swallow study	Another name commonly used for a videofluoroscopic swallow study.
FEES	Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing	A swallowing assessment using a small camera passed through the nose.

Hospital Care and Treatment

Short form	Full term	What it means
NICU	Neonatal intensive care unit	A hospital unit providing intensive care for newborns.
PICU	Pediatric intensive care unit	A hospital unit providing intensive care for infants and children.
SCBU	Special care baby unit	A unit caring for newborns who need extra support. Used in some countries; it may provide a different level of care from a NICU.
TH	Therapeutic hypothermia	Carefully controlled cooling treatment for eligible newborns with HIE.
ASM	Antiseizure medication	Medicine used to treat seizures.
AED	Antiepileptic drug	Another term for seizure medicine. ASM is increasingly used instead.
CPR	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation	Emergency care to support circulation and breathing when the heart stops.
NPO	Nil per os	Nothing by mouth. The care team will explain how nutrition, fluids, and medicines will be given.

Care Team Members

Short form	Full term	What it means
Ped / Peds	Pediatrician / pediatrics	A doctor, or area of medicine, focused on children’s health.
Neuro	Neurologist / neurology	A specialist, or area of medicine, focused on the brain and nervous system.
Ortho	Orthopedist / orthopedics	A specialist, or area of medicine, focused on bones, joints, and related movement concerns.
GI	Gastroenterologist / gastroenterology	A specialist, or area of medicine, focused on the digestive system.
PM&R / PMR	Physical medicine and rehabilitation	Medical care focused on function, comfort, and participation. A doctor in this specialty is called a physiatrist.
SLP	Speech-language pathologist	A professional who supports communication and swallowing.
SALT / SLT	Speech and language therapist / therapy	Terms used in some countries for the professional or services supporting communication and swallowing.

Therapy and Everyday Skills

Short form	Full term	What it means
PT	Physical therapy / physiotherapy	Supports movement, mobility, strength, and participation in activities.
OT	Occupational therapy	Supports everyday activities, such as play, dressing, eating, and school tasks.
ST	Speech therapy	Supports speech, language, and communication. Some providers also address swallowing.
ADL / ADLs	Activities of daily living	Everyday tasks such as eating, dressing, bathing, and using the bathroom.
NDT	Neurodevelopmental treatment	A rehabilitation approach families may hear about. Ask about evidence for the specific techniques and goals being proposed.
ABM	Anat Baniel Method	A branded movement-based approach. Its inclusion here does not establish that it is effective for HIE.
MNRI	Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration	A branded approach focused on reflexes. Its inclusion here does not establish that it is effective for HIE.

Communication and Assistive Technology

Short form	Full term	What it means
AAC	Augmentative and alternative communication	Ways to support or replace speech, including gestures, pictures, communication boards, and devices.
AT	Assistive technology	Tools, equipment, or software that help someone communicate, learn, move, or complete activities.
DME	Durable medical equipment	Reusable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and some home medical devices.

Braces and Equipment

An orthosis is a brace or support. The plural is orthoses.

Short form	Full term	What it means
AFO	Ankle-foot orthosis	A brace supporting the ankle and foot.
SMO	Supramalleolar orthosis	A shorter brace that supports the foot and extends just above the ankle bones.
KAFO	Knee-ankle-foot orthosis	A brace supporting the knee, ankle, and foot.
TLSO	Thoracolumbosacral orthosis	A brace supporting the trunk and spine.
SWASH	Sitting, Walking And Standing Hip orthosis	A hip brace designed to support positioning during sitting, standing, and walking.
CI	Cochlear implant	A device that provides access to sound for some people with hearing loss.

Feeding and Digestive Care

Short form	Full term	What it means
NG / NGT	Nasogastric tube	A feeding tube that passes through the nose into the stomach.
NJ tube	Nasojejunal tube	A feeding tube that passes through the nose into the small intestine.
G-tube	Gastrostomy tube	A feeding tube placed through the abdomen into the stomach.
GJ tube	Gastrojejunostomy tube	A feeding tube with access to the stomach and small intestine.
PEG	Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy	A procedure used to place a gastrostomy tube with the help of an endoscope. The tube may also be called a PEG tube.
Fundo	Fundoplication, often Nissen fundoplication	An informal name for surgery used to reduce reflux by wrapping part of the stomach around the lower esophagus.

Surgery

Short form	Full term	What it means
SDR	Selective dorsal rhizotomy	Surgery that cuts selected sensory nerve fibers to reduce spasticity, or muscle stiffness.
SPML	Selective percutaneous myofascial lengthening	A procedure intended to release tight tissue around selected muscles through small openings in the skin.

Early Intervention and School Supports

These terms mainly describe U.S. services. Eligibility rules and names vary by location.

Short form	Full term	What it means
EI	Early intervention	Services supporting infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.
IDEA	Individuals with Disabilities Education Act	The U.S. law governing early intervention and special education services for eligible children.
IFSP	Individualized Family Service Plan	A written plan for an infant or toddler’s early intervention services and family support.
IEP	Individualized Education Program	A written plan describing an eligible student’s special education, services, and goals.
504 plan	Section 504 plan	A plan providing accommodations and access for an eligible student with a disability.
ECSE	Early childhood special education	Special education services for eligible young children, generally beginning at age three.
FAPE	Free appropriate public education	An eligible student’s right to an appropriate public education at no cost to their family.
LRE	Least restrictive environment	Educating students with disabilities alongside students without disabilities to the greatest extent appropriate.
ESY	Extended school year	Special education services beyond the regular school year for eligible students.
ESD	Extended school day	A longer school day or additional services beyond usual school hours. Use varies locally.
TC	Teacher consultant	A specialist teacher who supports students and school staff. The role varies by location.
FBA	Functional behavioral assessment	An assessment of what contributes to a behavior and what support may help.
BIP	Behavior intervention plan	A plan describing supports and strategies for a student’s behavior and participation.

School Eligibility Terms

Schools may use these terms when deciding eligibility for services. An educational category is not always the same as a medical diagnosis.

Short form	Full term	What it means
PI	Physical impairment	A school category used in some locations for disabilities affecting physical function.
OHI	Other health impairment	A school eligibility category for certain health conditions that affect a student’s educational performance.
D/HH	Deaf or hard of hearing	Terms describing hearing differences and used by some school programs.
HI	Hearing impairment	A term used in some education rules and records. People may prefer “deaf” or “hard of hearing.”
DB	Deaf-blindness	Combined hearing and vision disabilities that create specific communication and access needs.
ECDD	Early childhood developmental delay	A school eligibility term used in some locations for young children with developmental delays.
EI	Emotional impairment	A school eligibility category used in Michigan. Here, EI has a different meaning from early intervention.
SXI	Severe multiple impairments	A Michigan school eligibility category involving multiple disabilities.
SLI	Speech and language impairment	A school eligibility category involving speech or language difficulties.
VI	Visual impairment	A school eligibility category involving vision disabilities.
CI	Cognitive impairment	A school eligibility category used in Michigan. Here, CI has a different meaning from cochlear implant.
TBI	Traumatic brain injury	A school eligibility category for injury caused by an external physical force. HIE may qualify under a different category.

Other Terms You May Hear

Short form	Full term	What it means
NT	Neurotypical	A term generally used for people without neurodevelopmental differences. Its meaning depends on context.
SN	Special needs	A broad term sometimes used for disability-related needs. Many people prefer “disabled,” “disability,” or a description of the specific support needed.

Common HIE Terms and Acronyms

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