When your baby is diagnosed with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) at birth, doctors may recommend cooling therapy as part of the treatment plan. Cooling therapy for babies with HIE, what parents need to know, will help guide you through how this treatment works and what you can expect during the process.
Cooling Therapy For Babies With HIE: What Parents Need to Know
Cooling therapy, also known as therapeutic hypothermia, involves lowering your baby’s body temperature by a few degrees for about 72 hours. This helps slow down the baby’s brain activity, which can reduce further injury to brain cells already affected by oxygen deprivation during labor and delivery.
It’s important to understand that cooling therapy is not a cure. It cannot reverse brain damage that has already occurred. However, it can slow down the spread of the injury, giving doctors more time to stabilize your baby’s condition and reduce the risk of long-term effects.
What Parents Should Expect
Throughout the 72 hours of cooling therapy, your baby will be closely monitored by the medical team. They will assess vital signs and brain activity to track the baby’s progress. After the cooling period, your baby will gradually be rewarmed, and further tests, such as MRIs, will likely be conducted to understand the extent of the brain injury.
Cooling therapy for babies with HIE, what parents need to know, is a vital starting point for understanding your baby’s treatment. While cooling therapy offers hope, you may also want to consider whether medical errors played a role in causing the injury.
If you have concerns about the cause of your baby’s HIE brain injury and want to explore the possibility of medical negligence, speaking with a birth injury lawyer can help you get the answers you need.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
9701 Apollo Dr. Suite 100
Largo, Maryland 20774
301-850-4832
1-833-4 BABY HELP
