title: Therapeutic hypothermia using gel packs for term neonates with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy in resource-limited settings: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) using gel packs in reducing mortality and morbidity in term neonates with HIE and study the associated problems with TH.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy babies were randomized into TH and control group. Babies in TH group were cooled for first 72 h of birth using cloth covered cooling gel packs to maintain target rectal temperature of 33-34°C. Infants were followed up to 6 months and were assessed using Baroda Developmental Screening Test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in baseline parameters. TH group showed significant reduction in the combined rate of death or developmental delay at 6 months of age by 21% (8.1% in the TH group vs. 29% in the control, RR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.11-0.70; p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TH using gel packs reduces the risk of death or developmental delay at 6 months of age in infants with HIE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Division of Neonatology, JIPMER, Puducherry, 605 006, India. skb_bmc@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Shruthi K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bharadwaj
authors.forename: B Vishnu
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Bhat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications*; D001831:Body Temperature; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005782:Gels