Neonatal seizures and therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Abstract

Neonatal seizures are associated with morbidity and mortality. Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the most common cause of seizures in newborns. Neonatal animal models suggest that therapeutic hypothermia can reduce seizures and epileptiform activity in the setting of hypoxia-ischemia, however data from human studies have conflicting results. In this research highlight, we will discuss the findings of our recent study that demonstrated a decreased seizure burden in term newborns with moderate HIE treated with hypothermia.