Practice Points:
- Therapeutic Hypothermia is a safe and effective treatment which reduces the impact of neural injury following hypoxia ischaemia and moderate/severe neonatal encephalopathy.
- Despite TH, a high proportion of survivors still develop moderate/ severe disability necessitating close follow up into childhood designed to identify neuromotor, cognitive and behavioural prob- lems. Early referral to child development teams for family support and intervention is recommended.
- Studies show that the efficacy of TH in reducing developmental disability persists through 6–7 years of age, but it is important to remember that neonatal trials were not designed nor powered to evaluate effects on learning, education or behaviour.
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