Therapeutic Hypothermia

Therapeutic hypothermia is controlled cooling used for certain newborns with moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. When eligibility criteria are met, treatment is generally most effective when started within a limited period after birth. The baby is monitored closely during cooling and rewarming. A legal investigation may examine recognition of encephalopathy, transfer decisions, timing, eligibility, documentation, and whether any delay probably changed the outcome. Cooling does not prevent every injury.