The Effectiveness of Passive Cooling Methods in Neonates with Severe Perinatal Asphyxia in Maternities with Limited Resources

Neuroprotection with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is standard of care for perinatal hypoxicischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and it decreases death and neurodevelopmental disability, but in order to obtain a maximum benefit it must be initiated within the first 3-6 hours of life before the onset of secondary energy deficiency [2]. For multiple reasons, the transfer of these newborn cases from lower-level maternities with limited infrastructure and resources is delayed for more than 6 hours of life. Thus, therapeutic passive hypothermia may be extremely useful in these cases, or during neonatal transport or while waiting for active hypothermia. We present the case of a newborn who had suffered asphyxia at birth and who benefited from passive and post-active therapeutic hypothermia.