Whole Body Hypothermia Treatment and Results In Newborns With Perinatal Asphyxia: A Case Series

Abstract

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) secondary to asphyxia clinically manifests as acute or sub-acute brain injury. Out of all newborns with HIE, 15-20% die in the postnatal period, while 25% sustain severe and permanent neurological damage (cognitive delay, cerebral palsy and epilepsy). Early application of whole body hypothermia therapy (the lowering of body temperature to 33.5-34°C) has been shown to lower disability and mortality rates in newborns with HIE. To date, we have used therapeutic hypothermia in 7 neonates born in our clinic with severe asphyxia. One of the patients died; 6 have been discharged and are showing normal neurological, mental and physical development.