Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and therapeutic hypothermia — structured clinical encounter

Station brief (candidate)

You are the neonatal registrar. A term infant (39 weeks, birthweight 3400 g) born after an emergency caesarean for placental abruption is admitted to the neonatal unit at 2 hours of age with lethargy, generalised hypotonia, and depressed Moro and suck reflexes. Cord blood pH was 6.88, base deficit 14 mmol/L. Apgar scores were 1, 3, and 5 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes, with ongoing mask ventilation at 10 minutes. The team asks you to assess cooling eligibility, establish the protocol, and outline the supportive neurocare. You have 12 minutes with the team and 5 minutes for examiner discussion. [1]