Introduction: Perinatal asphyxial encephalopathy (PAE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide and is a major burden for the patient, the family, and society. The objective of the study, was to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcome of new born babies who underwent  a protocol of Hypothermia in the first 72 hs of life. Taking into consideration  that the incidence for PAE has not changed in the last 20 years, there is an urgent need to improve outcomes in affected infants.

Methods: To present our preliminary experience from two Institutions with 30 cases of clinical application of therapeutic corporal hypothermia for PAE. Systemic hypothermia temperature to 33.5ºC was begun and continued for 72 hours.  Normalization of temperature is by 0.5ºC  per hour.  We included in a protocol all babies filling criteria.

Results: Cooling was well tolerated with no adverse reactions. Neurodevelopmental follow up of the surviving infants from 3 months to 40 months. There was considerable reduction on mortality and reduce on moderate PAE neurological disability.  None developed feeding problems, oculomotor abnormalities, spasticity or seizures on follow up-

Conclusions: Induction of hypothermia to 33.5ºC central temperature for 72 hours in infants who had PAE improved neurologic outcomes in survivors. Hypothermia is beneficial on neurodevelpomental outcome in PAE babies. Our preliminary experience with this modality in a large neonatal service is consistent with the clinical findings of published trials.  Decreasing motor, sensory and cognitive handicap and disability. Whether hypothermic therapy improves neurodevelopmental outcomes in long term is uncertain.