Hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remain a serious problem for both preterm and term neonates with the spectrum of injury ranging from neuronal injury to encephalopathy and death. Neonatal encephalopathy due to such injury occurs in 3-9 of every 1000 term infants. Of these, it is estimated that nearly a third to a half will either have severe adverse outcomes or die. Treatment of infants with HIE remains generally supportive with attention to resuscitation, fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, maintenance of acid-base balance, nutrition and feeding issues and treatment of seizures.