the Wedding Planner

UK Wedding News

10/07/2014

Cooling Babies Can Reduce Brain Damage

Cooling babies that have suffered a lack of oxygen at birth could reduce the risk of brain damage, a new study has claimed.

The research, which has been carried out by Oxford University and Imperial College London, said that oxygen deprivation at birth can trigger processes that lead to brain cells dying. This, in turn, can cause permanent neurological damage, but cooling the babies means these processes are interrupted and therefore reduces brain injuries.

The study claimed that 51.7% of oxygen-deprived babies treated with hypothermia survived to age 6–7 years with a normal IQ, compared to 39.4% of those who received standard care. It is thought the cooling process "significantly reduced" the chance of six and seven-year-olds suffering from cerebral palsy and other disabilities, while motor functioning was also improved. There was, however, no difference in mortality rate between the two ways of care, at around 30% of the children enrolled in the trial.

- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -
The Party Photobooth Limited

The TOBY clinical trial was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the findings have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The trial involved 325 newborn babies that suffered from a lack of oxygen at birth. They were assigned into two groups within six hours of delivery, and were either treated with standard care or standard care plus hypothermia. This was when their body temperature was reduced to 33.5˚C for 72 hours. After that period of time, they were slowly returned to a normal body temperature of 37˚C. The research aimed to discover if there were differences in the children's health later in life and it said the results were important as they "demonstrate that the improvements observed in brain function are not just temporary".

Brenda Strohm, research nurse at University of Oxford, said: "While corresponding with the families over the years, I have shared many happy stories of achievement and success as well as moments of sadness and loss; this is a privilege which adds a special dimension to my role of study co-ordinator.

"Thanks to our latest research, now when a baby is treated with cooling, families can be more fully informed about what might lie ahead, not only in the coming months but in the next few years too."

Professor Denis Azzopardi, lead author, King's College London, said: "This study is important as it confirms improved brain function persisting into middle childhood with cooling treatment, and it is a proof of the concept that treatment following oxygen deprivation at birth can be effective."

(JP/CD)

Top stories


20/03/2020
LeToya Luckett-Walker Is Pregnant

Charlotte Crosby Finds New Romance

Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth

Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend

Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life

Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle

Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans

Lin-Manuel Miranda Homeschooling Kids

Kristen Bell Speaks Of Pride For Daughters

Prince George & Princess Charlotte Now Homeschooled
more infomore info
0.015625 18.221.146.223 Ban:1, But:1 20/04/2024

"Cooling babies that have suffered a lack of oxygen at birth could reduce the risk of brain damage, a new study has claimed."