Systems for hypothermia treatment of neonatal encephalopathy use which mode of cooling exchange?

• A. Conductive
• B. Convective
• C. Radiant
• D. Evaporative

Answer: (A)

Therapeutic hypothermia in neonatal encephalopathy relies on conductive cooling. The baby’s heat is removed mainly by direct contact with a cold surface or through circulating cold fluid in a device—like a cooling blanket or a water‑cooled cap/jacket—so heat moves from the skin into the cooler. This contact-based heat transfer allows precise, uniform cooling to about 33.5°C for roughly 72 hours, which is essential for neuroprotection. Other modes—convective (air or fluid flow around the body), radiant (infrared energy without contact), or evaporative (cooling by moisture evaporation)—do not provide the same controlled, direct heat removal needed for this therapy.