Publication: Neurodevelopmental Outcome Following Therapeutic Hypothermia for Perinatal Asphyxia: A Cohort Study
Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Perinatal Society of Nepal (PESON)
Abstract
Abstract:
Introduction: Therapeutic hypothermia is recommended for the treatment of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). We conducted a cohort study to assess the neuroprotective benefits of therapeutic hypothermia by analyzing the survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes of neonates with moderate to severe HIE who underwent therapeutic hypothermia compared to those who did not.
Methods: Neonates with gestational age >36 weeks and age <6 hours with moderate to severe HIE were included in the study. Those who underwent therapeutic hypothermia according to a predefined criteria were assigned to the hypothermia group, while those who did not receive hypothermia served as the control group. Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3) at 3, 6, and 12 months of age.
Results: A total of 208 asphyxiated newborns were included in the study, with 100 in the therapeutic hypothermia group and 100 in the control group. Mortality was higher in the control group compared to the hypothermia group. Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months were significantly better in the hypothermia group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Our study suggests that therapeutic hypothermia in term newborns with moderate to severe HIE is associated with improved survival and reduced neurologic sequelae. These findings support the implementation of therapeutic hypothermia as a standard treatment for neonates with perinatal asphyxia.
Description
Srijana Dongol
All from Department of Paediatrics, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Teaching Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal.
Prithuja Poudyal
All from Department of Paediatrics, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Teaching Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal
Sameera Thapa
All from Department of Paediatrics, Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Teaching Hospital, Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchowk, Nepal.
Keywords
Cooling therapy, Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, Perinatal asphyxia, Therapeutic hypothermia