Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Therapeutic hypothermia with intracorporeal temperature monitoring for hypoxic perinatal brain injury.
Description
Hypoxic perinatal brain injury is caused by lack of oxygen in a baby's brain during labour and/or delivery. It can lead to death or permanent brain damage. Therapeutic hypothermia (deliberate lowering of the body temperature) aims to cool the brain soon after birth and for several days afterwards to prevent brain damage. It is done by cooling either the baby's head with a purpose-made cap, or the whole body with a purpose-made blanket or mattress. The baby's temperature is measured throughout to ensure that the right amount of cooling is used. After cooling, the baby's temperature is gradually returned to normal.
Coding recommendations
X51.2 Active cooling