TermWhat it means
HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy)Brain injury in a newborn caused by too little oxygen or blood flow around the time of birth. It can range from mild to severe.
NICUNeonatal Intensive Care Unit: the hospital unit that cares for newborns who need intensive medical treatment.
EEG (electroencephalogram)A recording of the brain’s electrical activity. It’s used to detect seizures, including ones that cause no visible movement (“electrographic-only” seizures).
Video-EEGEEG recorded together with continuous video, so a movement seen on camera can be matched against the brain-wave record at the same moment. It’s considered the standard for confirming a seizure.
Electrographic seizureA seizure identified by its electrical pattern on EEG. It may or may not cause any visible movement.
Therapeutic hypothermia (“cooling”)A treatment for moderate-to-severe HIE in which a baby’s body temperature is deliberately lowered for a period after birth to limit brain injury. It’s time-sensitive and usually started within hours of birth.
ILAEThe International League Against Epilepsy, the professional body whose criteria for classifying neonatal seizures are cited throughout this issue’s Research Digest.
Scoping reviewA type of research review that maps what’s already been published on a topic to show what’s known, what isn’t, and where the gaps are. It’s different from a systematic review, which weighs the strength of the evidence on a specific question more rigorously.
PCC framework (Population–Concept–Context)A structured way to set the boundaries of a scoping review: who is being studied, what about them is being studied, and in what setting.
Peer reviewThe process where other qualified experts independently evaluate research before it’s published. This magazine doesn’t currently carry out or claim peer review; see the Medical Disclaimer and Editorial Standards.
Evidence tier (Established / Experimental / Speculative)This issue’s working scale for how strong the evidence behind a claim is, as defined in the Research Watch template.

We’ll add to this glossary with each issue. If you’d like to suggest a term or a correction, write to editorial@thesilence.us.