Effect of Therapeutic Hypothermia Initiated After 6 Hours of Age on Death or Disability Among Newborns With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Abstract

Quiz Ref ID Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy represents a subset of neonatal encephalopathy, occurring in approximately 1.5 per 1000 live births.¹ It is an important etiology of neonatal mortality and serious or devastating lifelong cerebral palsy, neurosensory deficits, and cognitive impairments.² Therapeutic hypothermia initiated within 6 hours after birth for moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy reduced the composite outcome of death or disability at 18 months in multiple randomized clinical trials^3-8 and improved outcomes at 6 to 7 years.^9,10 The American Academy of Pediatrics published a framework to ensure appropriate use of hypothermia.¹¹