Therapeutic Controlled Hypothermia in the Treatment of Neonates With Severe Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Therapeutic Controlled Hypothermia in the Treatment of Neonates With Severe Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Hypothesis: Controlled hypothermia to 33.5C for 48 hours reduces the severity of critical illness in neonates with severe necrotizing enterocolitis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• weight at diagnosis > 700 grams
• confirmed NEC (Bell's stage II or III)
• radiological evidence of pneumatosis coli
• systemic compromise as defined by increase in ventilation requirement and/or requiring inotopic support