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Recent Study Finds Benefits of ECMO during Therapeutic Hypothermia for Infants with HIE

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Babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) often experience respiratory problems. Because of this, they may require assistance with breathing after birth. This can be done through the urgent method of resuscitation, or the more long-term assistance of inhaled nitric acid, high-frequency ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) (1). These long-term practices are commonly used for neonates…

New studies on Sildenafil treatment in babies with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)

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Sildenafil is the phosphodiesterase-V inhibitor more commonly known as Viagra (1). It has been successful in treating pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) because it increases blood pressure in the lungs. It has grown in usage and is now the major treatment option for PAH in babies, even though it is still used off-label and requires…

Piglets with Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage Benefit from Cannabidiol and Therapeutic Hypothermia

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of the cannabis (marijuana) plant that serves a wide variety of medicinal purposes (the legality of CBD and other cannabis products varies by state). Importantly, cannabidiol has been shown to provide neuroprotection in animal models of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). HIE is a type of brain injury from oxygen deprivation. In…

In Norway, Rates of Cerebral Palsy Decline as Perinatal Healthcare Improves

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Many cases of cerebral palsy (CP) are caused by complications that occur around the time of delivery (these are known as birth injuries). Based on this, Sandra Julsen Hollung and colleagues hypothesized that improvements in obstetrical and neonatal care could decrease the rate of cerebral palsy. Studying the Impact of Healthcare Standards on Cerebral Palsy…

New VaPor Model Provides More Details About the Effects of Therapeutic Hypothermia for HIE

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What Is Therapeutic Hypothermia? Therapeutic hypothermia has proven effectiveness in minimizing permanent brain damage after hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE. HIE is a type of brain injury caused by a lack of oxygenated blood flow. In infants, it can occur due to complications in late pregnancy, birth, or the neonatal period. What Do We Already Know…

Improving Neurological Outcomes of HIE: Monosialoganglioside Treatment

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Thus far, the most effective medical intervention for infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is hypothermia therapy, or cooling treatment. When administered very shortly after birth or the oxygen-depriving incident, this therapy can reverse brain damage and minimize (or in some cases prevent) permanent harm. However, hypothermia therapy is not always effective, and additional solutions for…

Hypothermia Therapy May Be Effective 6-24 Hours After Birth

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Currently, the only available treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), besides supportive care and therapy to mitigate the symptoms, is hypothermia therapy. This involves cooling a baby down to a below-normal temperature in order to allow the brain to recover from a hypoxic-ischemic injury and limit the spread of damage. Hypothermia therapy is known to reduce…

Hypothermia Therapy Shortly After Birth Reduces Risk of Epilepsy

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Babies that have sustained oxygen-depriving injuries (perinatal asphyxia) during the birthing process can benefit greatly from prompt administration of hypothermia therapy. Cooling an injured newborn to a below-normal temperature can give brain cells a chance to repair themselves, which stops the damage from spreading and becoming permanent. Hypothermia therapy can prevent or decrease the severity…

How Does Brain Cooling Relate to Medical Malpractice and Patient Safety?

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Brain cooling is a procedure that treats hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which is a neonatal brain injury often caused by medical mistakes. Medical mistakes are a patient safety problem – they often can be prevented, but when proper care is not provided, patients are harmed. It is the duty of medical practitioners to prevent errors from occurring – if…