Hypothermia in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) significantly affects neurodevelopment in infants and is also considered as an important cause of neonatal deaths worldwide. Medical research is being focused worldwide for the development of therapeutic avenues but it is still managed by supportive care. The latest studies in the above field have shown the efficacy of prolonged cooling of neonate's head or whole body at the age of 18 months (approx.) in providing relief from the pathological state of HIE. Moreover, hypothermia is the first reported therapeutic modality that proved beneficial for HIE young patients. Further, it acts by decreasing the cerebral metabolism to mitigate neurological outcomes of the pathological state. The present review article would discuss all-important aspects of hyperthermia therapy in the improvement of young patients affected by HIE.