Clinical research has shown that therapeutic hypothermia after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury improves survival without disability.

There is no consensus regarding pain relief or sedation during therapeutic hypothermia in newborns; however, therapeutic hypothermia seems to be associated with pain and stress, and adequate analgesia and sedation are central to maximize the effect of therapeutic hypothermia.

Pain needs to be adequately managed in all patients, especially the newborn infant due to the potential short- and long-term negative effects of inadequately treated pain in this population.