Therapeutic Cooling is a specialist treatment which should commence within 12 hours of birth in which a blanket (that can both cool and warm) is wrapped around the baby and the baby's temperature is reduced to a temperature of 33.5 degrees for 72 hrs. After 72 hours the baby is rewarmed slowly to a normal body temperature and the treatment is completed. We provide this treatment to reduce the extent of neurological damage known as Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE). HIE occurs when there is a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the baby's brain either before, during or shortly after labour and the severity can range from mild to severe.
An MRI following the completion of cooling treatment will confirm the diagnosis of HIE and the severity.
When your baby is admitted to the unit they will be nursed within Intensive care with the following equipment
- Cerebral Function Monitor – monitors the electrical activity of the baby’s brain
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Therapeutic cooling machine – This allows us to reduce a baby’s temperature via a cooling blanket that wraps around the baby.
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This photo demonstrates the therapeutic cooling machine, which allows us to reduce a baby's temperature via a cooling blanket that wraps around the baby, and the cerebral function monitor that monitors the electrical activity of the baby's brain.
We recognise this is an extremely difficult and challenging time for you all, below are links to supportive and informative resources to guide and support you.
- Bliss Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- HIE (Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy) information for parents
- PEEPS - Parent support website
- PEEPS - HIE Information Leaflet
- Northwest Neonatal Network Parent Resources HIE
Staff may discuss referrals to Derian House, Rainbow Trust / Kentown with you to provide support and guidance to you all as a family, further information can be found on the NICU page.
Staff will also provide you with a PEEPS HIE family pack.
