title: Therapeutic hypothermia in asphyxiated neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: A single-center experience from its first application in Greece.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Therapeutic hypothermia has become an established therapy in asphyxiated neonates with evidence of moderate/severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Herein, we describe our recent experience with total body cooling in asphyxiated neonates, which is the first relevant report in Greece.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of all asphyxiated newborns treated with therapeutic hypothermia in our center between September 2010 and October 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. We recorded data related to neonatal-perinatal characteristics, whole body cooling and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve asphyxiated neonates [median gestational age 38 weeks (36-40)] received whole body cooling (rectal temperature 33.5 ± 0.5 (o)C for 72 hours) during the study period for moderate (n=3) and severe (n=9) hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Cooling was passive in 4 and active in 8 (66.7%) cases. Therapeutic hypothermia was initiated at the median age of 5 hours (0.5-11) after birth. Seven neonates survived (58.3%) to hospital discharge. On follow-up (7-35 months), neurodevelopment outcome was normal in 1 case, while 3, 1 and 2 subjects had mild, moderate and severe impairment, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our initial experience with whole body cooling supports its beneficial effect in asphyxiated neonates. This treatment should be offered in all centers involved in the care of such neonates using either simple means (passive cooling) or automated cooling devices. Hippokratia 2014; 18 (3): 226-230.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neonatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sarafidis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neonatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Soubasi
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neonatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diamanti
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neonatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitsakis
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neonatology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Drossou-Agakidou
keywords: neonatal care; neonatal encephalopathy; perinatal asphyxia