Comparison of Two Low-cost Methods of Cooling Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND

Several low-cost methods are used in resource-limited settings to provide therapeutic hypothermia in asphyxiated neonates. There is inadequate data about their efficacy and safety. This is a retrospective study comparing two low-cost cooling methods-frozen gel packs (FGP) and phase changing material (PCM).

RESULTS

There were 23 babies in FGP and 45 babies in the PCM group. Induction time was significantly shorter with FGP than PCM (45 vs. 90 minutes; p -value < 0.001). Proportion of temperature readings outside the target range was significantly higher (9.8% vs. 3.8%; p -value < 0.001) and fluctuation of core body temperature was wider (standard deviation of target temperature 0.4 °C vs. 0.28 °C) in the FGP group, compared with PCM group.

CONCLUSION

Both FGP and PCM are effective and safe, comparable with standard servo-controlled cooling equipment. PCM has the advantage of better maintenance of target temperature with less nursing input, when compared with FGP.