Systemic Hypothermia Improves Outcome of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Clinical Trial

Official title: Effect of Systemic Hypothermia on Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Perinatal asphyxia-induced brain injury is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in term and preterm neonates. Birth asphyxia accounts for 23% of neonatal deaths globally and survivors suffer from long term neurological disability and impairment. Although many neuroprotective strategies appeared promising in animal models, most of them were not feasible and effective in human newborns. However, hypothermia was reported not to be effective if introduced beyond and thus should be introduced within 6 hrs after birth.Applying this selection criterion naturally would deprive many patients of the opportunity of hypothermia treatment.

Clinical Trial Description

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy of the newborn infant remains a significant socio-economic health problem worldwide. Moderate to severe HIE of newborn infants is associated with a high rate of death or long-term disabilities. Historically, treatment has been purely supportive including stabilizing cardio-respiratory functions and treating convulsions. Recent multi-center trials assessing the effects of hypothermia demonstrated improved outcome in term neonates with moderate hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). However, hypothermia was not effective beyond 6 hrs after brain injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether systemic hypothermia induced up to 10 hrs after birth would improve the neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months in infants with moderate or severe HIE. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Prevention

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Brain Diseases
• Brain Ischemia
• Hypothermia
• Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
• Ischemia

• NCT number: NCT00817401
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Zhengzhou University
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Start date: July 2002
• Completion date: June 2008