Where Can You Get HIE Cooling Therapy in New York?

When a baby experiences oxygen deprivation during birth, every minute counts. Therapeutic hypothermia, commonly called cooling therapy or brain cooling, has become the standard treatment for newborns diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This therapy carefully lowers a baby’s body temperature for 72 hours to reduce brain damage and improve long-term outcomes.

New York’s major hospitals have systematically implemented cooling therapy since 2010, when international medical committees formally recommended it for term and near-term infants with moderate to severe brain injury from oxygen deprivation. Today, most Regional Perinatal Centers and advanced-level NICUs across the state offer this potentially life-changing treatment.

What Is HIE and How Common Is It?

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy occurs when a newborn’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood flow, typically during labor, delivery, or immediately after birth. The lack of oxygen triggers a cascade of injury that can damage brain cells and lead to lasting neurological problems.

In the United States and other developed countries, HIE affects approximately 1.5 to 3 babies per 1,000 live births. Recent data from 2012 to 2019 showed a steady rate of about 1.7 cases per 1,000 births. While these numbers may seem small, they translate to hundreds of affected families in New York each year.

The statistics paint a sobering picture. Between 2007 and 2022, nearly 4,000 infants born at 35 weeks gestation or later died from HIE across the United States. More concerning, the mortality rate nearly doubled during this period, rising from 5.2 to 9.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. This increase affected both White and Black infants, though Black babies experienced slightly higher overall mortality rates.

Globally, birth asphyxia and trauma affect an estimated 1.2 million newborns each year. Males experience higher rates of both HIE occurrence and complications compared to females.

How Effective Is Cooling Therapy for Birth Related Brain Injury?

The evidence supporting therapeutic hypothermia is substantial and growing. Cooling therapy reduces the combined outcome of death or severe disability at 18 to 24 months by about 25%. Put simply, for every 6 to 7 babies with moderate to severe brain injury who receive cooling, one additional baby will have a better outcome than without treatment.

Studies comparing cooled and non-cooled infants show dramatic differences. Without cooling, approximately 60% of babies with moderate to severe HIE either die or develop significant disabilities. With cooling, that rate drops to 44 to 55%. A recent trial in India found that 65% of cooled babies had normal development at 18 months, compared to only 42% of babies who didn’t receive cooling.

These improvements represent real children who can walk, talk, learn, and live more independent lives than they might have otherwise. However, cooling isn’t a cure-all. Even with treatment, many babies with severe brain injury still face significant challenges.

One important limitation: recent research shows cooling doesn’t help babies born between 33 and 35 weeks gestation the same way it helps full-term infants. A 2025 study found that cooling this group of late preterm babies might actually cause harm. This underscores why doctors carefully evaluate each baby’s gestational age and condition before starting treatment.

Which Babies Qualify for Cooling Therapy?

Not every baby with a difficult birth needs or qualifies for cooling therapy. Doctors use specific criteria to identify which newborns will benefit most:

Gestational Age and Size Requirements

• Born at 35 to 36 weeks gestation or later
• Birth weight above 1,800 grams (about 4 pounds)

Evidence of Oxygen Deprivation During Birth

• Severe acidemia in umbilical cord blood (pH less than 7.0 or base deficit greater than 16)
• Low Apgar score (5 or less) at 10 minutes after birth
• Need for prolonged resuscitation with breathing support

Signs of Brain Injury

• Moderate to severe encephalopathy (Stage II or III on the Sarnat scale)
• Symptoms appearing within 6 hours of birth

The encephalopathy staging refers to observable signs like altered consciousness, abnormal muscle tone, seizures, difficulty feeding, and abnormal reflexes. Doctors assess these signs through careful physical examination.

Why Does the Six Hour Window Matter?

The most critical factor in cooling therapy isn’t just whether a baby receives it, but when. Treatment must begin within 6 hours of birth to be effective.

This narrow window exists because brain injury from oxygen deprivation happens in two phases. The initial damage occurs when oxygen levels drop. Then, over the following hours and days, a second wave of injury develops as damaged cells release harmful chemicals, inflammation increases, and more cells die. Cooling interrupts this secondary injury phase, but only if started before it fully takes hold.

This time constraint creates urgency throughout New York’s perinatal system. When a baby shows signs of HIE at a smaller hospital without cooling capabilities, staff must quickly coordinate transfer to a specialized center. Some hospitals begin passive cooling during transport by simply turning off warming equipment, buying precious time until active cooling can start.

Major New York Hospitals Providing HIE Cooling Therapy

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital System

NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital has operated one of the longest-running cooling programs in the state, treating infants with therapeutic hypothermia since 2007. More than 165 high-risk babies have received cooling therapy through their program.

The hospital takes a comprehensive, team-based approach involving specialists in newborn medicine, neurology, nursing, brain imaging, and psychology. Dr. Jeffrey Perlman, Chief of Newborn Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and a former leader of the international committee that established cooling guidelines, emphasizes that cooling should follow the same careful protocols used in the research studies that proved its effectiveness.

The program doesn’t stand still. After every 20 patients, the team reviews outcomes and refines their approach to improve results and long-term quality of life. Their 60-bed NICU at the Alexandra Cohen Hospital offers selective head cooling in addition to whole-body cooling, and every intensive care bed includes video EEG monitoring to quickly detect and treat seizures, which are common in babies with HIE.

The hospital is nationally recognized for its dedicated focus on preventing and treating brain injury in newborns, combining cutting-edge technology with the expertise to use it effectively.

Stony Brook Children’s Hospital

Stony Brook University Hospital serves as the only Regional Perinatal Center in Suffolk County offering cooling therapy for HIE. This designation means the hospital meets strict state requirements for equipment, staffing, and expertise to care for the most critically ill newborns.

The facility operates a 46-bed NICU with all private rooms, allowing parents to stay close to their babies while maintaining the infection control and quiet environment that sick newborns need. The hospital uses whole-body cooling as its primary method.

Each year, Stony Brook admits approximately 1,000 babies to its NICU, transports about 100 newborns from other hospitals, and cares for roughly 90 babies weighing less than 1,500 grams at birth. This volume of critically ill infants means the medical and nursing staff maintain deep experience with complex cases.

When HIE is diagnosed, the cooling process begins quickly, with the baby’s temperature carefully lowered and maintained for 72 hours, followed by slow, controlled rewarming. Parents can stay involved in their baby’s care throughout the process, with staff providing education and support during an intensely stressful time.

Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center

The Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, affiliated with New York Medical College, provides whole-body cooling therapy for babies with oxygen deprivation during birth. As a Level IV facility and Regional Perinatal Center, this represents the highest designation in New York’s perinatal care system.

The NICU admits approximately 800 critically ill newborns each year, with nearly half transferred from other hospitals. The center treats an average of 30 babies with cooling therapy annually, giving the team substantial experience with this specialized treatment.

Maria Fareri operates the only high-risk neonatal transport program covering the region from Westchester County to Albany, conducting more than 220 helicopter and ground transports yearly. This transport capability ensures that babies born at smaller hospitals can quickly reach cooling therapy when needed. The facility maintains one of the highest case mix indices in New York State, meaning it cares for especially complex and critically ill patients.

Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai operates multiple Regional Perinatal Centers across New York City offering therapeutic hypothermia as part of comprehensive newborn brain injury services. The 46-bed Level IV NICU at Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital alone cares for 1,000 babies annually with complex, multi-organ system problems.

The health system’s various locations increase access to cooling therapy across Manhattan and the surrounding area, reducing travel time for families and improving the chances that treatment can begin within the critical six-hour window.

NYU Langone Health

NYU Langone provides cooling therapy through Level IV NICUs at Tisch Hospital in Manhattan and at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island. The Long Island location holds Advanced Perinatal Center of Excellence designation and delivers more than 5,000 babies each year, making it one of the busiest maternity centers in the region.

This high delivery volume, combined with advanced NICU capabilities at the same location, means many babies who develop complications can receive immediate evaluation and treatment without the delays inherent in hospital transfers.

Additional Regional Perinatal Centers Offering Cooling Therapy

Several other major hospitals across New York State maintain Regional Perinatal Center designation and provide cooling therapy:

• Bellevue Hospital Center (Manhattan) – Part of the NYC Health + Hospitals public system, ensuring access regardless of insurance status
• Maimonides Medical Center (Brooklyn) – Operates a 48-bed Level 4 NICU serving Brooklyn’s diverse communities
• University Hospital of Brooklyn at SUNY Downstate – Academic medical center with research programs alongside clinical care
• Long Island Jewish Medical Center (Queens) – Serves one of the most densely populated areas of New York
• Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx) – Major academic medical center serving the Bronx
• John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital (Buffalo) – Western New York’s primary pediatric referral center
• Strong Memorial Hospital (Rochester) – Finger Lakes Regional Perinatal Center serving upstate New York
• Crouse Hospital (Syracuse) – Central New York regional center
• Albany Medical Center Hospital – Serves northeastern New York and parts of Vermont and Massachusetts

This distribution of centers across the state helps ensure that most New York families live within the two-hour travel time required for emergency perinatal transfers.

What Happens During Cooling Therapy?

Understanding what cooling therapy involves can help families prepare for what lies ahead during a frightening and uncertain time.

Starting Treatment

Once doctors decide cooling therapy is appropriate, treatment begins as quickly as possible within the six-hour window. The medical team places the baby on a special cooling blanket or mattress that circulates cold water, or uses a cooling cap for selective head cooling. A temperature probe, typically placed in the baby’s rectum or esophagus, continuously monitors core body temperature.

The target temperature is 33.5°C (about 92.3°F), significantly cooler than the normal 37°C (98.6°F). Reaching this target temperature typically takes several hours.

The 72-Hour Cooling Period

For three full days, the baby remains at the reduced temperature. This isn’t simply a matter of keeping the baby cold. Nurses constantly monitor the temperature and adjust the cooling equipment to maintain the precise target range. Even small variations outside the therapeutic window could reduce effectiveness or cause complications.

During these 72 hours, babies receive intensive monitoring and support:

• Continuous heart rate and blood pressure monitoring
• Regular blood tests to check organ function and blood chemistry
• Brain wave monitoring (EEG) to detect and treat seizures
• Breathing support if needed
• Intravenous medications and nutrition
• Frequent neurological assessments

Rewarming

After 72 hours, the careful process of rewarming begins. This can’t happen quickly without risking additional complications. The medical team raises the baby’s temperature by just 0.5°C per hour, taking approximately 6 hours to return to the normal target of 36.5°C.

During and after rewarming, monitoring continues to watch for any complications and assess how the baby is recovering.

Whole Body Cooling Compared to Selective Head Cooling

Two main approaches to therapeutic hypothermia exist: whole-body cooling and selective head cooling. Understanding the difference matters less for outcomes than knowing that your hospital uses an evidence-based protocol.

Whole-Body Cooling

Most New York hospitals use whole-body cooling as their primary method. The baby lies on a cooling blanket or mattress, and the entire body is cooled to maintain a rectal temperature of 33.5°C. This approach provides even cooling throughout the body and all brain regions.

Selective Head Cooling

Some centers, including NewYork-Presbyterian, offer selective head cooling. This method uses a cooling cap on the baby’s head while the body temperature (measured rectally) is kept slightly warmer, around 34 to 35°C.

The theory behind head cooling is that it might protect the outer brain regions (cortex) more effectively while reducing some body-wide side effects. Animal studies show head cooling can create larger temperature differences between the brain surface and deeper structures compared to whole-body cooling.

Which Method Works Better?

Studies comparing these approaches have found no significant differences in survival rates, disability rates, or development at 12 months. Some research suggested selective head cooling might reduce severe injury to the brain’s outer layers, while other studies found the opposite. The mixed evidence explains why different centers use different methods.

What matters most isn’t which cooling method a hospital uses, but whether they have extensive experience with their chosen protocol, follow it carefully, and provide comprehensive monitoring and support throughout treatment.

Monitoring for Complications During Cooling

While cooling therapy significantly improves outcomes for babies with HIE, the treatment itself can cause side effects that require careful management. Medical teams watch closely for several potential complications:

Heart and Blood Pressure Issues

Cooling slows the heart rate, sometimes to levels that would be concerning in a normally warm baby. This sinus bradycardia is expected during cooling but requires monitoring to ensure it doesn’t become severe. The heart’s electrical activity can also change, with a prolonged QT interval visible on ECG. Some babies develop low blood pressure requiring medications to maintain adequate circulation.

Blood Clotting Problems

Cooling can reduce platelet counts and interfere with normal blood clotting, increasing bleeding risk. Regular blood tests track these changes, and babies may need platelet transfusions or other blood products if clotting becomes dangerously impaired.

Skin Changes

The cooling process itself can affect the skin, causing redness, hardening, or even fat necrosis under the skin. While concerning in appearance, these changes typically resolve after rewarming and don’t indicate a need to stop treatment in most cases.

Infection Risk

Some research suggests cooled babies may have slightly higher infection rates, possibly because cooling temporarily affects immune function. Medical teams maintain strict infection control practices and watch carefully for any signs of sepsis or pneumonia.

Importantly, cooling therapy has not been shown to cause additional brain injury or worsen outcomes. The complications that do occur can usually be managed effectively by experienced NICU teams.

HIE Affects More Than Just the Brain

When babies experience severe oxygen deprivation, multiple organ systems beyond the brain often suffer damage. Understanding this multi-organ involvement helps explain why babies with HIE require such intensive, comprehensive care.

Heart and Blood Vessels

Between 28% and 73% of babies with HIE develop cardiovascular problems, including low blood pressure requiring medication, irregular heart rhythms on ECG, or signs of damage to the heart muscle itself.

Lungs and Breathing

Respiratory problems affect 26% to 86% of infants with HIE. Many need help breathing through a ventilator, and some require high oxygen concentrations even with breathing support.

Liver

Liver injury occurs in 19% to 85% of cases, detected through blood tests showing elevated liver enzymes. The liver plays crucial roles in blood clotting, processing medications, and removing toxins, so liver dysfunction can complicate treatment.

Kidneys

Between 42% and 72% of babies with HIE experience kidney problems, ranging from reduced urine output to elevated blood markers of kidney damage to protein appearing in urine. Kidney function is essential for maintaining proper fluid balance and removing waste products.

Blood

Blood system abnormalities affect 10% to 59% of infants with HIE, including low platelet counts, problems with clotting factors, and sometimes anemia.

During cooling therapy, medical teams don’t just focus on the brain. They carefully monitor all these organ systems, treating complications as they arise and supporting the body’s overall recovery. Many of these problems improve as the baby heals, though some may have lasting effects.

How New York’s Hospital Network Ensures Access to Cooling

New York State operates a regionalized perinatal care system designed to match each baby’s needs with the appropriate level of care. This system is crucial for ensuring babies with HIE can quickly reach hospitals offering cooling therapy.

Hospitals are designated as Level I (basic newborn care), Level II (intermediate care), Level III (advanced NICU), or Level IV (the highest level, also called Regional Perinatal Centers). Only Level III and IV hospitals provide cooling therapy.

Transfer Agreements and Coordination

Every Level I, II, and III hospital must maintain written agreements with a Regional Perinatal Center. These agreements establish clear protocols for identifying babies who might need cooling and coordinating rapid transfer.

When a baby is born at a community hospital and shows signs of HIE, the obstetric and pediatric teams quickly assess the situation. If the baby meets criteria for cooling, they immediately contact the nearest Regional Perinatal Center with NICU availability.

The Race Against Time

State regulations require that surface travel time for perinatal transfers be no more than two hours under normal conditions. This reflects the six-hour window for starting cooling therapy. However, two hours of travel time from a birth at midnight, plus time for initial stabilization and assessment, leaves very little room for delay.

This time pressure drives several practices:

• Referring hospitals sometimes begin passive cooling by turning off radiant warmers, allowing the baby’s temperature to drift down while transport is arranged
• Regional Perinatal Centers operate 24/7 transport teams by helicopter and ground ambulance
• Many centers have protocols for accepting babies by phone without prolonged evaluation, trusting the referring hospital’s initial assessment

Transport Challenges

Transport itself presents unique challenges. The baby needs careful temperature management during transport, continuous monitoring, breathing support if needed, and IV access for medications. Transport teams carry specialized equipment and receive extensive training in neonatal critical care.

Weather conditions, traffic, and distance all affect transport times. The concentration of Regional Perinatal Centers in New York City and along major corridors means rural families may face longer transport times and more challenging logistics.

Research on New Treatments to Use Alongside Cooling

While therapeutic hypothermia remains the only proven treatment for HIE, researchers are actively investigating additional therapies that might enhance cooling’s benefits. These adjunctive treatments aim to target different aspects of the brain injury process.

Erythropoietin

Erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone naturally produced by the kidneys, has shown promise in early studies. Beyond its well-known role in red blood cell production, EPO appears to have neuroprotective properties. Phase II trials testing high-dose EPO (1,000 units per kilogram) combined with cooling found reduced brain injury on MRI and improved motor development at one year compared to cooling alone.

These encouraging results led to Phase III trials currently underway to confirm whether EPO should become a standard addition to cooling therapy.

Other Agents Under Investigation

Several other substances are being studied as potential add-ons to cooling:

• Melatonin – A hormone involved in sleep regulation that may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the brain
• Magnesium sulfate – Already used to protect the brain in some premature babies, now being tested in term infants with HIE
• Vitamin D – May reduce inflammation and support brain cell survival
• Topiramate – A medication used for seizures that might provide additional neuroprotection
• Stem cell therapy – Using the baby’s own cord blood cells or other stem cell sources to potentially repair damaged brain tissue

All of these remain experimental. None should be considered standard care or available outside of research studies. Families whose babies participate in clinical trials are helping advance knowledge that could benefit thousands of future children, but they should understand these treatments remain unproven.

What Outcomes Can Families Expect After Cooling Therapy?

The question weighing most heavily on families is: “Will my baby be okay?” The honest answer is complex and depends heavily on the severity of the initial brain injury.

Overall Statistics

Even with cooling, approximately 44% to 55% of babies with moderate to severe HIE either die or develop significant disabilities. This means cooling helps, but doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome.

Outcomes by Severity

The degree of encephalopathy at birth strongly predicts outcomes:

Mild HIE

• Less than 1% mortality
• About 5% to 10% develop obvious long-term disabilities
• However, more subtle problems with learning, attention, and behavior are emerging in follow-up studies of children initially classified as mild

Moderate HIE

• 10% to 15% mortality in high-income countries (down from approximately 20% before cooling)
• 30% to 50% develop disabilities ranging from mild learning difficulties to significant physical and cognitive impairments

Severe HIE

• 35% to 45% mortality (reduced from 50% to 60% before cooling)
• Among survivors, 70% to 80% have disabilities, often severe, even with cooling treatment

What Do These Percentages Mean?

These statistics represent populations, not individuals. Some babies with severe HIE surprise everyone with relatively good outcomes. Others with seemingly moderate injury develop unexpected challenges. The brain’s response to injury and treatment varies tremendously.

Types of Disabilities

When doctors refer to disability in HIE outcomes, they typically mean:

• Cerebral palsy affecting movement and posture
• Intellectual disabilities affecting learning and adaptive functioning
• Seizure disorders requiring ongoing medication
• Vision or hearing impairments
• Difficulties with feeding and swallowing
• Speech and language delays

Many children experience combinations of these challenges rather than a single isolated problem.

Why Long Term Follow Up After HIE Matters

All babies treated with cooling therapy need ongoing developmental monitoring, sometimes for years. This follow-up serves several crucial purposes.

Identifying Problems Early

Many developmental issues become apparent gradually rather than immediately. A baby who seems to be developing normally at six months might show delays in walking, talking, or learning at later ages. Early identification allows for earlier intervention, which generally leads to better outcomes.

Tracking Treatment Effectiveness

Hospitals use aggregated follow-up data to evaluate how well their cooling protocols work and identify areas for improvement. NewYork-Presbyterian, for example, reviews outcomes after every 20 patients and adjusts their approach based on what they learn.

Coordinating Services

Children with disabilities often need multiple services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, special education, and medical subspecialty care. Follow-up clinics help coordinate these services and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Supporting Families

The ongoing relationship with the medical team that cared for the baby during the crisis provides continuity and support. Parents can ask questions, express concerns, and receive guidance as they navigate their child’s development.

Several New York hospitals, including Stony Brook, operate dedicated NICU High Risk Clinics specifically for this purpose. These clinics bring together multiple specialists in one location, making it easier for families to access comprehensive care.

Realistic Expectations

Follow-up also helps families develop realistic expectations and make informed decisions about their child’s care, education, and future needs. Understanding a child’s specific challenges and strengths allows families to advocate effectively and plan appropriately.

Disparities in HIE Outcomes Across Different Communities

While therapeutic hypothermia represents a major medical advance, not all babies and families benefit equally. Significant disparities persist based on race, geography, and socioeconomic factors.

Racial Disparities

Black babies experience higher rates of HIE-related mortality than White babies. In New York State, Black families face infant mortality rates about 2.4 times higher than the state average overall, reflecting broader disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.

Even when Black and White babies receive similar medical treatment, outcomes sometimes differ, suggesting that social determinants of health, accumulated stress, structural racism, and healthcare access issues all play roles that medical intervention alone can’t overcome.

Geographic Disparities

Globally, babies born in low-resource countries face dramatically worse outcomes. HIE-specific mortality rates in regions with low sociodemographic index are 27 times higher than in high-resource areas like New York.

Even within New York State, families living in rural areas face challenges that urban families may not. Longer distances to Regional Perinatal Centers, fewer local healthcare resources, and limited access to follow-up specialty care all create barriers.

Quality Improvement Efforts

Organizations like the Vermont Oxford Network Collaborative work specifically on reducing variation and improving outcomes through quality improvement initiatives. These efforts focus on:

• Standardizing protocols so every baby receives optimal care regardless of which hospital they’re born at
• Improving identification of at-risk babies before they’re born, allowing delivery at hospitals equipped for cooling
• Enhancing coordination between referring hospitals and Regional Perinatal Centers
• Ensuring all babies treated with cooling receive appropriate brain imaging and EEG monitoring
• Guaranteeing access to long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up

Progress requires acknowledging these disparities and working systematically to address them.

Questions to Ask Your Medical Team

If your baby has been diagnosed with HIE or is undergoing cooling therapy, you may feel overwhelmed by medical information during an intensely emotional time. These questions can help you understand your baby’s situation and care:

About the Diagnosis

• What evidence indicates my baby has HIE?
• How severe is the encephalopathy?
• What caused the oxygen deprivation?
• What tests will help understand the extent of brain injury?

About Treatment

• What type of cooling does this hospital use?
• When will cooling start?
• Who will be monitoring my baby during treatment?
• What complications should we watch for?
• Can I touch or hold my baby during cooling?

About Additional Care

• Are other organs besides the brain affected?
• Is my baby having seizures, and how are they being treated?
• What other treatments is my baby receiving?
• Are there any clinical trials we should consider?

About Prognosis

• What can you tell us about potential outcomes?
• When will we have a clearer picture of how my baby is doing?
• What will the MRI or other tests show?

About Follow-Up

• What kind of developmental monitoring will my baby need?
• What services are available in our area?
• How will we know if developmental problems are emerging?

About Support

• Are there parent support groups?
• Can we speak with families whose babies have been through this?
• What resources are available to help us cope?

Don’t hesitate to ask questions multiple times or request that information be explained differently. Medical teams understand that stress and fear make it difficult to absorb complex information.

Finding Support and Information

Facing a HIE diagnosis can feel isolating. Connecting with other families, reliable information sources, and support services can make a meaningful difference.

Hospital-Based Support

Most Regional Perinatal Centers employ social workers, psychologists, or family support specialists who can connect families with resources, support groups, and practical assistance.

National Organizations

Several organizations focus specifically on HIE and birth injuries, offering educational materials, research updates, and family connections:

• Hope for HIE
• HIE Help Center
• Birth Injury Guide

Local Resources

New York State provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities. These services are available regardless of family income and can begin as soon as a developmental concern is identified, even before a formal diagnosis.

Advocacy and Legal Resources

Some families pursue legal consultation if they believe their baby’s injury resulted from preventable medical errors. Organizations like NYBirthInjury.com provide information about birth injuries, medical malpractice, and family rights.

However, many cases of HIE occur despite excellent medical care. Unpredictable complications during labor and delivery can lead to oxygen deprivation even when everyone does everything right.

The Reality of Life After HIE

Statistics and medical information tell only part of the story. The reality of life after HIE varies tremendously from family to family.

Some children treated with cooling therapy develop typically, reaching all their milestones on time and entering school without extra support. Their families gradually move past the trauma of those early days, though many say they never completely forget the fear they felt.

Other children face ongoing challenges that require daily therapy, medical care, and advocacy. Their families reorganize their lives around appointments, equipment, medications, and care routines. They celebrate victories that might seem small to outsiders but represent enormous achievements for their child.

Many families fall somewhere in between, with children who have some challenges but also many abilities. They navigate a complex world of therapy services, educational support, and medical follow-up while also experiencing the normal joys and frustrations of raising children.

What nearly all families share is resilience they didn’t know they had and love that remains constant regardless of outcomes.

Moving Forward

Therapeutic hypothermia represents one of the most significant advances in newborn medicine in recent decades. The systematic implementation of cooling therapy across New York’s Regional Perinatal Centers means that babies born throughout the state have access to this potentially life-changing treatment.

Research continues to refine protocols, identify babies who might benefit most, develop adjunctive therapies, and improve long-term outcomes. Each year brings new knowledge that helps the next group of affected families.

For families currently facing HIE, the availability of cooling therapy at experienced centers throughout New York provides hope grounded in solid evidence. While cooling doesn’t guarantee a positive outcome, it significantly improves the odds that babies with moderate to severe brain injury will survive and thrive.

The concentration of expertise at Regional Perinatal Centers like NewYork-Presbyterian, Stony Brook, Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, and others across the state means families can access not just cooling therapy, but comprehensive care from teams who understand the complex medical, developmental, and emotional aspects of HIE.

If your baby has been diagnosed with HIE or is currently receiving cooling therapy, remember that you’re not alone. The medical team caring for your baby, support organizations, and other families who have walked this path can provide information, guidance, and hope during an incredibly difficult time.