Guideline

Neonatal Encephalopathy Guidelines

By 

the AMC PSO

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cover

Overview: Neonatal Encephalopathy Task Force Recommendations on Therapeutic Hypothermia

In 2014, at the behest of its membership, the Academic Medical Center Patient Safety Organization (AMC PSO) convened a Neonatal Encephalopathy Task Force to arrive at a set of consensus-based guidelines for the most effective use of therapeutic hypothermia in cases of suspected neonatal encephalopathy. After reviewing guidelines from the 2014 joint Task Force Report on Neonatal Encephalopathy and Neurologic Outcome by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), further insights were gathered from AMC PSO member subject matter experts in Neonatology, Neurology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics. The Task Force generated a list of recommendations for the identification and management of suspected neonatal encephalopathy

Over the ensuing years, the Massachusetts Neonatal Encephalopathy Registry was established as a collaborative effort across 14 centers, representing nearly half of the state’s deliveries. This registry provided a unique opportunity to monitor real-world application of therapeutic hypothermia, identify variations in practice, and highlight areas in need of quality improvement. In addition, interval studies have been published that have influenced best practice considerations for therapeutic hypothermia. In 2025, building on this foundation, an updated Task Force was convened, composed of multidisciplinary experts and registry stakeholders. The group undertook a comprehensive review of the most recent literature and emerging scientific evidence, and, informed by the insights gained from registry data, refined and expanded the original guidelines. Updates to the original guidelines are highlighted to indicate a change in Task Force Recommendation.

What follows is a document that reflects the aim, mission, and consensus opinion of the Neonatal Encephalopathy Task Force. It offers guidance for clinicians in their efforts to provide the safest, most effective, evidenced-based approach to care delivery.

TASK FORCE

2025

  • Mohamed El-Dib, MD
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Hoda El-Shibiny, BSc.Pharm, MS
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Andrew Farkas, MS, CFRN, EMTP
    Boston MedFlight
  • Munish Gupta, MD, MMSc
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Anne Hansen, MD, MPH
    Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Emily Herzberg, MD
    Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Brian Kalish, MD, PhD
    Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Silvia Patrizi, MD
    Newton-Wellesley Hospital
  • Bharati Sinha, MBBS, MD, MRCP
    Boston Medical Center
  • Janet Soul, MD
    Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Silvia Patrizi, MD
    Newton Wellesley Hospital
  • Carol Keohane, MSN, RN
    South Shore Hospital

2016

  • Elisa Abdulhayoglu, MD, MS, FAAP
    Newton-Wellesley Hospital
  • Sanjay Aurora, MD, MPH
    North Shore Medical Center
  • Sara Bates, MD
    Massachusetts General Hospital
  • David Burchfield, MD
    University of Florida Health
  • Joseph Chou, MD, PhD
    Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Jonathan Cronin, MD
    Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Alan Fujii, MD
    Boston Medical Center
  • Munish Gupta, MD, MMSc
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Anne Hansen, MD, MPH
    Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Terrie Inder, MD, MBChB
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Paul Lerou, MD
    Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Janet S. Lloyd, MD
    Mount Auburn Hospital
  • Jeffrey Joseph Neil, MD, PhD
    Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Deirdre O’Reilly, MD, MPH
    Boston Children’s Hospital
  • DeWayne Pursley, MD, MPH
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Lucienne S. Sanchez, MD
    Brigham & Women’s Hospital
    Holy Family Hospital
  • Steven A. Ringer, MD, PhD
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • Barbara Shephard, MD
    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
    Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Plymouth
  • Bharati Sinha, MBBS, MD, MRCP
    Boston Medical Center
  • Janet Soul, MD
    Boston Children’s Hospital
  • Brian Walsh, MB, Bch, BAO, PhD, MRCPI
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Statement

The Neonatal Encephalopathy Task Force Recommendations on Therapeutic Hypothermia were developed under the auspices of the Academic Medical Center Patient Safety Organization (AMC PSO) Neonatal Encephalopathy Task Force. These consensus recommendations are for informational purposes only and should not be construed or relied upon as a standard of care. The AMC PSO recommends institutions review these guidelines and accept, modify or reject these recommendations based on their own institutional resources and patient populations. Additionally, institutions should continue to review and modify these recommendations as the science continues to evolve.


Download the Guidelines

First Published – October 24, 2016
Last Published – October 06, 2025
Related To: Decision Support,  Emergency Medicine,  General Medicine,  Medication,  Nursing,  Obstetrics
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