Therapeutic Hypothermia for Treatment of Neonatal Encephalopathy: Current Research and Nursing Care

Neonatal encephalopathy, a condition resulting from perinatal asphyxia, occurs in 2.0–6.0 of every 1000 live births. Without treatment, prognosis is poor and resulting complications such as intellectual delay and cerebral palsy are often severe. Therapeutic hypothermia has emerged as an effective treatment for neonatal encephalopathy. Now, research is aimed at determining prognosis after encephalopathy and therapeutic hypothermia. Additionally, nurses play a large role in the identification and care of infants receiving therapeutic hypothermia and their families.