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Added on Oct 28, 2008 | Filed Under: Press Release

NEW ORLEANS - Ochsner's multi-disciplinary NICU team of high-risk obstetricians and neonatologists became the first in Louisiana to utilize a hypothermia program, or, "cooling" treatment on a newborn. Baby Nia'Keyia Williams was delivered October 5th via Caesarean section at Ochsner Medical Center, after her mother, Lashawn Williams, 23, developed a premature placental abruption, a serious complication that leaves the baby inside the womb without oxygen (asphyxia). Ms. Williams is a New Orleans resident and Nia'Keyia is her second child. "Saving little Nia'Keyia's life required the proper equipment and Ochsner's highly-skilled team in order to act quickly to implement hypothermia treatment," explains Dr. Phillip Gordon, Section Head of Neonatology at Ochsner Medical Center. "Without "cooling," Nia'Keyia would probably have suffered renal failure, brain swelling and additional long-term effects. We are cautiously optimistic that she will recover as she is off the ventilator and acting like a normal baby." "As soon as little Nia'Keyia was born, she was placed on a ventilator and moved to Ochsner's Level III NICU, where the staff placed her on the cooling blanket. Treatment must be administered within a six-hour window or the baby will not benefit," explains Dr. Veronica Gillispie, OB/GYN at Ochsner Medical Center. Dr. Gordon explains how hypothermia therapy helped Nia'Keyia, "If the baby is not cooled within six hours, more brain cells will die from the initial lack of oxygen that occurs during asphyxiation. By "cooling," we can stop that process as the cells essentially "forget" to die." Hypothermia places patients into a state of near- hibernation, cooling them down to a temperature of 33-33.5 degree Celsius for 72 hours. Ochsner cardiologists have utilized a similar technique on adult cardiac arrest patients and are leading a clinical trial investigating the effects of cooling a patient after a heart attack. Other leading medical centers in the U.S. have used "cooling" on newborns, however, this is the first program and initial treatment in Louisiana. Over 1,000 children worldwide have been cooled with positive effects. Hypothermia programs are closely watched by neonatal medical societies who expect high standards of performance, data management, and patient follow-up in the facilities providing this care. "At Ochsner, "˜cooling' babies is our standard of care for birth asphyxia," explains Dr. Gordon. "We also accept appropriate cases from regional hospitals that do not have hypothermia capabilities by enabling them to start the cooling process at their facility until the specially-trained Ochsner team can transport the infant." The placenta develops during pregnancy to nourish the baby. Placental abruption occurs if the placenta peels away from the uterus' inner wall before delivery thereby depriving the baby of oxygen and vital nutrients. In the mother, this can cause heavy bleeding, sudden abdominal and back pain, uterine tenderness, and rapid uterine contractions. The 36-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Ochsner Medical Center is directed by a team of board certified neonatologists and supported by an experienced group of neonatal nurse practitioners. The Ochsner NICU carries a Level III Regional designation; the highest awarded by the State of Louisiana, and has been recognized for its innovative approach to caring for the sickest newborns. The Ochsner Neonatal Transport Team can be dispatched in less than 30 minutes via ambulance or helicopter.

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