Therapeutic Hypothermia in Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy—Drift in Clinical Practice in Swiss Neonatal (Intensive Care) Units?

The objective of this study was to assess the adherence to inclusion criteria for therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and to survey current attitudes on TH. This multicenter observational study therefore combined a retrospective analysis of the Swiss National Asphyxia and Cooling Register (2011-2023) and a prospective survey (2024) among neonatologists in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. A total of 456 neonates with HIE were registered in the Swiss National Asphyxia and Cooling Register in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, between 2011 and 2023. The rate of TH (52.6% [2011-2017] versus 52.0% [2018-2023]) as well as the incidence of off-protocol cooling remained stable over time (p = 0.614). The survey response rate was 69.5% (57/82). Difficulties with clinical grading of encephalopathy were identified. Subjectively, respondents considered themselves more generous to initiate TH. In conclusion, register data reflected good adherence to inclusion criteria for TH. The survey confirmed willingness to consider TH in milder HIE cases. However, there was no drift in clinical practice-yet? Keywords: application of guidelines; drift in clinical practice; hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; therapeutic hypothermia.