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Comparison of Two Low-cost Methods of Cooling Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
Machilakath Panangandi Shabeer1, Thangaraj Abiramalatha1, Abhilasha Smith1
1Department of Neonatology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Background:
Several low-cost methods are used in resource-limited settings to provide therapeutic hypothermia in asphyxiated neonates. There is inadequate data about their efficacy and safety. This is a retrospective study comparing two low-cost cooling methods-frozen gel packs (FGP) and phase changing material (PCM).
Results:
There were 23 babies in FGP and 45 babies in the PCM group. Induction time was significantly shorter with FGP than PCM (45 vs. 90 minutes; p -value < 0.001). Proportion of temperature readings outside the target range was significantly higher (9.8% vs. 3.8%; p -value < 0.001) and fluctuation of core body temperature was wider (standard deviation of target temperature 0.4 °C vs. 0.28 °C) in the FGP group, compared with PCM group.
Conclusion:
Both FGP and PCM are effective and safe, comparable with standard servo-controlled cooling equipment. PCM has the advantage of better maintenance of target temperature with less nursing input, when compared with FGP.