Birth asphyxia in a newborn can lead to functional defects in the baby’s brain leading to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, seizures or even death. A new brain-cooling therapy has been tried at few centers that has the potential to reduce brain injury in these newborns. A plastic web like hat fits over the baby’s head that induces hypothermia in the brain without cooling of the baby’s body. As the neonate rests in a radiant warmer that keeps its body temperature just slightly below normal, cool water is pumped into the hat, dramatically lowering the temperature of the brain. The technique appears to stop the cascade of events that lead to neuronal death.


Last updated on 25-03-2003