.png "Neonatal encephalopathy is a brain disorder that occurs at or near birth and is often caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain.")
Neonatal encephalopathy is a brain disorder that occurs at or near birth and is often caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. Therapeutic hypothermia is a treatment that reduces the newborn's body temperature to protect against the effects of mild or severe NE. While there is evidence to support the use of therapeutic hypothermia for newborns born at 36 weeks or later, many clinicians use it for infants born at 35 weeks or less.
The trial enrolled 168 newborns born between 33-36 weeks who had NE. Half of these newborns received therapeutic hypothermia, while the other half maintained a normal temperature for 72 hours. Researchers found that there was a 77% probability of increased death among newborns who received therapeutic hypothermia compared to newborns for whom researchers maintained a normal temperature.
Additionally, the researchers found no evidence that therapeutic hypothermia reduced the combined outcome of death or moderate/severe disability among trial participants. Outcomes were assessed when the infants were 18-22 months old.
The lead researcher, Roger G. Faix, M.D., professor of pediatrics/neonatology at the University of Utah, said, “Despite no evidence supporting its use in younger newborns, clinicians continue to use therapeutic hypothermia in newborns younger than 36 weeks. These study findings are clear: therapeutic hypothermia is ineffective in more premature newborns.”
These findings challenge the common use of therapeutic hypothermia in premature infants with neonatal encephalopathy. This research provides evidence for clinicians to reconsider their approach to treating neonates born before 36 weeks with this brain injury.
Overall, this study highlights the importance of evidence-based treatments and the need for continued research to improve medical care for neonates with neonatal encephalopathy. (ANI)
