Position Statement on Therapeutic Cooling for Neonatal Encephalopathy (2010)

BAPM Position Statement on Therapeutic Cooling for Neonatal Encephalopathy

Perinatal asphyxia severe enough to cause neonatal hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) occurs in approximately 3/1000 births in the UK. The risk of death or severe handicap in survivors of moderate or severe HIE is approximately 25 and 75% respectively, and children without motor impairments have lower cognitive scores on long term follow‐up, poorer scholastic attainment in independent National Attainment Tests, and often need educational support. Perinatal asphyxia thus creates a major burden for the individual, the family and for society.

Until recently no specific treatment for HIE was available. However the results....