Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy remains an important cause of permanent injury to the central nervous system resulting in neonatal death, cerebral palsy and several developmental disorders in later life. One of the most effective treatment modalities used to decrease morbidity and mortality due to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is hypothermia. The efficacy and success of hypothermia is directly correlated with the early initiation of treatment (0-6 hours). The scarcity of hypothermia centers in Turkey requires the consideration of important issues such as patient transport and early initiation of passive cooling. The goal of this report was to highlight the significance of developing protocols in Turkey regarding the practice of passive cooling at the hospitals of birth and also during ambulance transport.

Keywords: hipotermi, pasif soğutma, perinatal asfiksi, yenidoğan transportu.