Oxygen is essential to the brain. When the brain fails to receive a steady supply of oxygen, it can lead to long-term damage with debilitating side effects. This is particularly true for newborn babies.
Unfortunately, up to 20 in 1000 births1 see some level of brain injury caused by asphyxiation. Until recently, there has been no way to adequately prevent or treat the condition. However, a relatively new treatment option called brain cooling may reduce the incidence of brain damage and death in newborns.
Even though more research needs to be done, brain cooling represents a promising advancement that could prevent countless deaths and severe disabilities.