Turkish neonatal society guideline on neonatal encephalopathy

Abstract

Neonatal encephalopathy is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia is standard treatment for newborns at 36 weeks of gestation or more with intrapartum hypoxia- related neonatal encephalopathy. Term and late preterm infants with moderate-to-severe encephalopathy show improved survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18 months of age after therapeutic hypothermia. Therapeutic hypothermia can increase survival without increasing major disability. Neonates with severe neonatal encephalopathy remain at risk of death or severe neurodevelopmental impairment. This guideline was prepared by the Turkish Neonatal Society to standardize the management of neonatal encephalopathy throughout the country.