Current status of Therapeutic Hypothermia in Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been the standard treatment for neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) for more than a decade. This therapy has been one of the best studied treatments in neonatal medicine, moving from preclinical models to patient application. Its implementation has been accompanied by the development of neuromonitoring, neonatal neurology as a specific area of expertise, and the intense search for new neuroprotective strategies. This article provides an update on the clinical scope of this therapy, with emphasis on the problems of our geographic region. In addition, some additional strategies that can improve the therapeutic efficacy of TH are reviewed, as well as controversial aspects in its application and some future perspectives in the care of neonates with HIE.