Short-time effect of selective head cooling on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy / 中国小儿急救医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To assess short-time effect of selective head cooling on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy induced by perinatal asphyxia. Methods Twenty-three infants of moderate/severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) were divided into treatment group ( 14 cases) and control group (9 cases). The head hypothermia in the treatment group [rectal temperature ( 34. 0 ～ 35.0) ℃, nasopharyngeal temperature (34. 0 ± 0. 5 ) ℃]was induced by circulating water cooling cap for up to 72 h. Control group were treated routinely. All newborns were monitored and analyzed for blood pressure, heart rate, neurological function. Neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) was conducted for assessment of neurobehavioral development on day 28 after birth. Results Treatment group showed slower hear rate as nasopharyngeal temperature decreased and there was significant difference as compared with the control group ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Apnea and arrhythmia were not found in either group. As compared with the control group, treatment group showed better results in seizure incidence, recovery of neonatal reflex( embracing reflection, sucking reflex and grasp reflex), and improvement of limb muscle tension. The NBNA score on day 28 was much higher in hypothermia group(35.00 ± 1.41 ) than that of control group(30. 67 ± 1.58) and there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Selective head cooling is safe for newborns with moderate/severe HIE if the nasopharyngeal temperature maintains at (34± 0. 5 ) ℃, rectal temperature at 34 ～ 35 ℃. Selective head cooling can effectively improve the short-term nervous symptoms and the neurobehavioral score,but the long-term efficacy remains to be further studied.