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Fifteen-minute consultation: Therapeutic hypothermia for infants with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy-translating jargon, prognosis and uncertainty for parents.

Paul A CawleyElavazhagan Chakkarapani
Published in: Archives of disease in childhood. Education and practice edition (2019)
Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy may lead to death or severe long-term morbidity. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) increases survival without impairments in childhood, but prognostic uncertainty may remain for years after birth. Clear and accurate communication is imperative but challenging. This article explores the predictive value of routinely performed assessments during TH, as well as the qualitative research relating to parental experience. This article will benefit paediatric trainees, consultants and nurse practitioners in providing: (1) the background information needed for initiating a conversation with parents regarding outcome and (2) optimising their communication with parents in translating jargon, prognosis and uncertainty.
Keyphrases
  • early onset
  • cardiac arrest
  • primary care
  • brain injury
  • palliative care
  • emergency department
  • systematic review
  • healthcare
  • health information
  • young adults
  • pregnant women
  • pregnancy outcomes
  • childhood cancer