Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy & Cooling

Neonatal encephalopathy from peripartum hypoxic-ischemic insult. Therapeutic hypothermia within 6 hours improves outcomes.

Educational decision support · Not a medical device · Do not enter PHI

Key points

Cooling criteria: ≥36 weeks GA, evidence of acute peripartum event, moderate-severe encephalopathy on exam.
Target 33.5°C for 72 hours, then slow rewarming.
Monitor for seizures (aEEG/EEG), coagulopathy, PPHN.

Pitfalls

Do not delay cooling for transport — passive cooling en route.
Avoid hyperthermia at all costs.

Ask the Copilot

— What are Sarnat staging criteria?
— How to manage seizures during cooling?