Systemic Hypothermia Improves Outcome of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Perinatal asphyxia-induced brain injury is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in term and preterm neonates. Birth asphyxia accounts for 23% of neonatal deaths globally and survivors suffer from long term neurological disability and impairment. Although many neuroprotective strategies appeared promising in animal models, most of them were not feasible and effective in human newborns. However, hypothermia was reported not to be effective if introduced beyond and thus should be introduced within 6 hrs after birth.Applying this selection criterion naturally would deprive many patients of the opportunity of hypothermia treatment.