Total Body Cooling

Some newborn babies experience asphyxia (it is an abnormal neurological state resulting from reduced levels of oxygen). The NICU has a servo-controlled machine with a water-filled cooling blanket where we keep the baby for monitoring. The body temperature of the baby is reduced to 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33.5 degrees Celsius) and maintained for three days.

What Total Body Cooling Involves

Total body cooling baby treatment, also known as neonatal therapeutic hypothermia, is a specialised treatment used for certain newborns who experienced reduced oxygen around the time of birth. Whole body cooling newborn treatment carefully lowers a baby’s body temperature for a set period, which research has shown can help reduce the extent of potential injury in these specific circumstances. This treatment window is time sensitive, and eligibility is assessed quickly after birth to determine whether cooling is an appropriate option.