UK-India study flags death risk of brain injury treatment in new-born babies

As per a new study conducted largely in India flags the death risk of a procedure used to treat birth-related brain damage in new-born babies in low and middle income (LMICs) countries.

A procedure widely used to treat birth-related brain damage in new-born babies in low and middle income (LMICs) countries may increase the risk of death, a new study conducted largely in India reports here on Tuesday. The research led by Imperial College London, together with several hospitals in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and published in the journal ‘The Lancet Global Health’ used a technique called therapeutic hypothermia with 408 babies with suspected birth-related brain damage. This technique cools a baby’s body temperature by four degrees, by placing them on a type of cooling mat.