Skip to content
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Induced hypothermia for infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy using a servo-controlled fan: An exploratory pilot study
Pediatrics, Volume 123, No. 6, Year 2009
Notification
URL copied to clipboard!
Description
OBJECTIVE. Several trials suggest that hypothermia is beneficial in selected infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. However, the cooling methods used required repeated interventions and were either expensive or reported significant temperature variation. The objective of this pilot study was to describe the use, efficacy, and physiologic impact of an inexpensive servo-controlled cooling fan blowing roomtemperature air. PATIENTS AND METHODS.A servo-controlled fan was manufactured and used to cool 10 infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy to a rectal temperature of 33°C to 34° C. The infants were sedated with phenobarbital, but clonidine was administered to some infants if shivering or discomfort occurred. A servo-controlled radiant warmer was used simultaneously with the fan to prevent overcooling. The settings used on the fan and radiant warmer differed slightly between some infants as the technique evolved. RESULTS. A rectal temperature of 34°C was achieved in a median time of 58 minutes. Overcooling did not occur, and the mean temperature during cooling was 33.6°C ± 0.2°C. Inspired oxygen requirements increased in 6 infants, and 5 infants required inotropic support during cooling, but this was progressively reduced after 1 to 2 days. Dehydration did not occur. Five infants shivered when faster fan speeds were used, but 4 of the 5 infants had hypomagnesemia. Shivering was controlled with clonidine in 4 infants, but 1 infant required morphine. CONCLUSIONS. Servo-controlled fan cooling with room-temperature air, combined with servo-controlled radiant warming, was an effective, simple, and safe method of inducing and maintaining rectal temperatures of 33°C to 34°C in sedated infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. After induction of hypothermia, a low fan speed facilitated accurate temperature control, and warmer-controlled rewarming at 0.2°C increments every 30 minutes resulted in more appropriate rewarming than when 0.5°C increments every hour were used. Copyright © 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Authors & Co-Authors
Horn, Alan Richard
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Thompson, Clare M.
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Woods, David Lawrance
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Nel, Alida
South Africa, Bloemfontein
University of the Free State
Bekker, Adrie
South Africa, Tygerberg
Tygerberg Hospital
Rhoda, Natasha R.
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Pieper, Clarissa H.
South Africa, Observatory
Groote Schuur Hospital
Statistics
Citations: 43
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1542/peds.2007-3766
ISSN:
00314005
e-ISSN:
10984275
Research Areas
Environmental
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Exploratory Study