Quantification of Brain and Kidney Perfusion Before, During, and After Hypothermia Treatment in Neonates With Perinatal Asphyxia Using Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound

Inclusion Criteria13

• Severe acidosis (pH ≤7.0 or a base deficit ≥16 mmol/l) in umbilical cord blood or a blood sample from the first hour of life, and
• clinical signs of moderate or severe encephalopathy (severity grade 2 or 3 according to Sarnat \& Sarnat), and
• postnatal age ≤6h, and
• gestational age ≥36 weeks' gestation
• Consent of the parents/legal guardians
• Time 1 (before the start of hypothermia treatment)
• Informing the parents/legal guardians present on site despite an emotionally stressful situation with high individual benefit for the patient
• If only one parent is present and able to provide information, their consent is sufficient - the second parent is informed repeatedly when they regain the ability to provide information
• Information adapted to the emergency situation, addressing the personal situation and comprehensible presentation of the plan
• Time 2 (during hypothermia treatment)
• \>Offer of a further informative discussion/repeated explanation with the parents/legal representatives before the second measurement in order to answer any questions that may have arisen
• Suitable acoustic window
• Availability of the qualified examiner