[Hypothermia after perinatal asphyxia reduces the risk of brain damage. But it's too early to recommend the method for routine treatment].

Two randomised controlled trials evaluating intervention with moderate hypothermia after perinatal asphyxia will probably be published this year. The first study, evaluating head cooling with a "cool cap" is already published, and preliminary data from the other study evaluating body cooling earlier have been presented. Both studies indicate that moderate hypothermia, initiated within 6 h after birth, for 72 h reduces mortality and survival with severe brain injury. Several issues must, however, be solved before postasphyctic cooling can be recommended as clinical routine. There are no data on optimal duration, degree of cooling, best method, or if methods and degree of cooling should be adapted to type of brain injury. Continued research with randomised controlled trials is recommended.