Baby charity Bliss encouraged by evidence that cooling reduces infant brain damage
Last updated 10/2/2009 8:40:36 AM
Baby charity Bliss encouraged by evidence that cooling reduces infant brain damage
A charity dedicated to the survival of premature babies has welcomed research which suggests that infants starved of oxygen at birth, have a lower risk of brain damage if they are given mild hypothermia.
Carmel Bartley, Family Support Manager at Bliss said, "This is very welcome research in to an area which is known to save lives. Cooling of babies with birth asphyxia is an innovative technique already being used in some neonatal centres.
"This is a specialist treatment that we would like to see used more widely to ensure the very best outcomes for our most vulnerable babies."
Perinatal asphyxia causes moderate or severe encephalopathy occurs in approximately two out of thousand births.
In full term newborn infants, perinatal asphyxia may account for up to 30% of cases of cerebral palsy, and results in a significant health care and financial burden to the NHS.
At present there is no specific treatment for asphyxia other than stabilisation with treatment to reduce seizures.
A study, funded by the Medical Research Council, aims to determine whether the use of whole body cooling following perinatal asphyxia is a safe treatment that will improve survival and reduce neurological and neurodevelopmental impairments.
Babies who have experienced moderate or severe asphyxia are randomly allocated to receive either standard intensive care, or intensive care with cooling.
Randomisation must take place before the baby is 6 hours of age, and the allocated treatment is commenced immediately.
Cooled babies have their body temperature reduced to 33-34°C for 72 hours, followed by gradual rewarming.
Read also >> Premature babies survival rates increase, University of Edinburgh study finds
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