Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria:All infants with gestational age ≥ 35 weeks and with a body weight ≥ 1800 g were considered eligible, if they satisfied the following criteria: * Intrapartum hypoxia defined as follows: potential of hydrogen (pH)≤ 7.0 or B.E. ≥ 16 millimole liters (mmo/L) in the 1st hour of life, obtained from cord or arterial blood, or (ii) pathological intra-partum course (e.g., abnormal foetal heart rate, cord prolapse, uterine rupture, maternal haemorrhage/trauma/epileptic seizures/cardiorespiratory arrest, shoulder dystocia, fluid meconium-stained amniotic), or Apgar score ≤5 or continuous respiratory support at 10 minutes. * Signs of moderate or severe encephalopathy according to the Sarna (t) score and Sarna (t) staging, performed at 30-60 minutes of life: stage 2 (lethargic, poor spontaneous activity, distal flexion posture, hypotonia, weak primitive reflexes, myotic pupils, bradycardia or periodic breathing) or stage 3 (stupor/coma, decerebrate posture, spontaneous activity absent, flaccidity, primitive reflexes absent, non-reactive pupils or apnoea). * Amplitude integrated electroencephalogram( aEEG ) by Cerebral Functional Monitoring (CFM) or electroencephalogram (EEG) for at least 30 minutes, which shows either moderate or severe electroencephalographic anomalies, or the presence of convulsions. All enrolled infants underwent therapeutic hypothermia according to the international guideline for 72 hours. Exclusion Criteria: Infants with: * gestational age \<35 weeks, * severe foetal growth restriction (body weight \<1800 g), * inability to start therapeutic hypothermia within 6 hours of birth, * other known causes of encephalopathy (chromosomopathies, brain malformations, metabolic encephalopathies, major congenital anomalies, neonatal withdrawal syndrome), - incoercible bleeding, * refusal of consent by the parent/guardian/legal representative