BAPM publishes new framework on therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy

The British Association of Perinatal Medicine’s (BAPM) latest framework for practice provides guidance on therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy. The framework covers case selection, parent/carer communication, recommendations for infants who fall outside of current criteria, investigations, network and transport implications, nursing care, prognostication, reorientation of care, follow-up, governance and future research. There are appendices on magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, general care and neurological examination.

BAPM frameworks for practice are practical guidance documents for an aspect of neonatal practice. They are evidence-based wherever possible but if evidence is not available then recommendations may be based on a professional consensus view. A framework for practice is intended as an overarching document that can be used by local units and/or networks to produce their own guidelines.

The framework can be read at www.bapm.org/resources/237-therapeutic-hypothermia-for-neonatal-encephalopathy