Neonatal Encephalopathy: Update on Therapeutic Hypothermia and Other Novel Therapeutics

Abstract

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is standard treatment for newborns at 36 weeks of gestation or greater with intrapartum hypoxia-related NE. Term and late preterm infants with moderate to severe encephalopathy show improved survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of age after TH. TH can increase survival without increasing major disability, rates of an IQ less than 70, or cerebral palsy. Neonates with severe NE remain at risk of death or severe neurodevelopmental impairment. This review discusses the evidence supporting TH for term or near term neonates with NE.

Keywords: Dexmedetomidine; Erythropoietin; Melatonin; N-acetylcysteine; Neurodevelopment; Stem cells; Umbilical cord milking; Xenon.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict-of-interest, financial support, or other potential conflicts of interest to declare.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.