Neonatal HIE and Therapeutic Hypothermia Care Guide

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is a critical intervention for newborns suffering from neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), requiring strict adherence to physiological and neurological inclusion criteria. To qualify for cooling, infants must typically be at least 36 weeks gestation and demonstrate significant signs of intrapartum hypoxia or moderate to severe encephalopathy. Clinical management involves monitoring specific physiological shifts during the cooling and rewarming phases, such as changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and electrolyte levels. Healthcare providers must also navigate complex decisions regarding nutritional support, the necessity of sedation, and the timing of diagnostic neuroimaging. Utilizing MRI and MR spectroscopy around the fourth day of life is essential for identifying brain lesion patterns and predicting long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.