Short-term neurological improvement in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy predicts neurodevelopmental outcome at 18-24 months.

Objectives To evaluate the association of short-term neurological improvement until day of life 4 in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) receiving therapeutic hypothermia (TH) with neurodevelopmental outcome at 18-24 months. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of 174 neonates with HIE registered in the Swiss National Asphyxia and Cooling Register between 2011 and 2013. TH was initiated according to national guidelines, and Sarnat staging was performed daily.