Selective Head versus Whole Body Cooling Treatment of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: Comparison of Electroencephalogram and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Objective This study aimed to compare the utility of electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect brain dysfunction and injury across a cohort of newborn infants treated with selective head cooling (SHC) or whole body cooling (WBC). Study Design Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is a standard neuroprotection tool for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates. Sixty-six newborns, SHC (n = 22) and WBC (n = 44), were studied utilizing standardized scoring systems for interpretation of EEG and MRI based on the severity of the findings. Results SHC- and WBC-treated groups did not differ significantly amongst most of the baseline parameters. EEGs obtained postcooling were abnormal in 58 of 61 (95%) infants. The severity of the EEG background changes (depressed and undifferentiated background) was more prevalent in the SHC (8/21 [38%]) than in the WBC group (5/40 [13%]). Brain MRIs showed HIE changes in 26 of 62 (42%) newborns treated with TH. MRI abnormalities of basal ganglia, thalamic, and parenchymal lesions were more common in the SHC (5/19) versus the WBC group (3/43); p = 0.04. Conclusion EEG abnormalities and MRI findings of HIE were more prevalent in the SHC than in the WBC group. WBC may offer better or at least similar neuroprotection to infants with HIE.