Neonatal encephalopathy therapy optimization for better neuroprotection with inhalation of CO2: the HENRIC feasibility and safety trial

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Abstract
Background There is an association between hypocapnia and adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in infants with neonatal encephalopathy (NE). Our aim was to test the safety and feasibility of 5% CO2 and 95% air inhalation to correct hypocapnia in mechanically ventilated infants with NE undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. Methods Ten infants were assigned to this open-label, single-center trial. The gas mixture of 5% CO2 and 95% air was administered through patient circuits if the temperature-corrected PCO2 ≤40 mm Hg. The CO2 inhalation was continued for 12 h or was stopped earlier if the base deficit (BD) level decreased 2 range (40–60 mm Hg) during the inhalation. All PCO2 values were >40 mm Hg, the lower value of the target range. Regression modeling revealed that BD and lactate had a tendency to decrease during the intervention (by 0.61 and 0.55 mmol/L/h, respectively), whereas pH remained stable. The rate of moderate disabilities and normal outcome was 50%. Conclusions Our results suggest that inhaled 5% CO2 administration is a feasible and safe intervention for correcting hypocapnia.

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