Acta paediatrica
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Multicenter Study
Hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy: Nationwide Survey of Clinical Practice in Japan as of August 2010.
Therapeutic hypothermia is now recommended as a standard of care for neonatal encephalopathy. Although adherence to standard cooling protocols used in the phase-III trials is essential, empiric approaches have prevailed in Japan. ⋯ Only 43.8% of the units provided therapeutic hypothermia. Even in centres where hypothermia was offered, adherence to the standard protocols was extremely poor. To secure the safety and efficacy, further promotion of the standard cooling protocols is required; an efficient cooling centre network has to be established by optimizing the work forth distribution and transportation system.