Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Skye Peltier

Abstract

Therapeutic hypothermia is a standardized protocol in the management of term- or near- term neonates who have suffered asphyxia in the perinatal period. Birth asphyxia, if sustained, may develop into a more serious condition known as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Depending on severity, HIE is associated with adverse cognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes, yet through various physiological mechanisms, hypothermia sustained for a 72-hour period has been shown to attenuate, or even prevent, permanent brain damage by decreasing cerebral energy demands. Unfortunately, cognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes are difficult to prognosticate before or after completion of hypothermia protocol, but existing standards and technology allow for reliable prognostication up at 18 months of age. Currently, research is underway to identify certain imaging and biochemical modalities that may help predict cognitive and neurodevelopmental outcomes at various stages of childhood beyond 18 months of age, even before hypothermia is initiated, as well as to evaluate methods holding potential to strengthen hypothermia protocol as it presently stands.

Identifier

SC11.PAS.2018.Rustad.C

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