"Does Therapeutic Hypothermia Reduce Neurologic Sequelae in Infants?"

S Jacobs et al published a study in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews investigating whether "therapeutic" hypothermia would indeed reduce neurologic sequelae in encephalopathic asphyxiated newborns without elevated mortality rates, long-term neurodevelopmental disability, or serious side effects. This study relied on previous research data from newborn animal studies, as well as some pilot trials in humans, both of which showed positive results. Eight trials and more than 600 full-term infants without recognizable congenital anomalies were included in Jacobs' study. Results showed that the hypothesis was indeed correct and hypothermia did reduced mortality without increasing other major side effects. The authors clarify that more randomized trials are needed and the results of those, when incorporated with their own, will show an even clearer picture of which methods are most effective.

Find the abstract and full reference at PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17943788?dopt=Abstract.