Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical effect of mild hypothermia on neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy, and the value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT and amplitude integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) for diagnosis and evaluation of curative effect. Methods From May, 2013 to December, 2014, 29 newborns with bilirubin encephalopathy were divided into conventional group (n=15) and mild hypothermia group (n=14). The conventional group received conventional therapy, and the other group received mild hypothermia in addition. The aEEG and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were measured before and after treatment, as well as the glucose metabolism rate with ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT after treatment. Results The NSE was lower after treatment in both groups (t>9.670, P<0.001), and was lower in the mild hypothermia group than in the conventional group (F=46.146, P<0.001). After treatment, sleep-wake cycle (SWC), epileptiform activity and the degree of abnormality were obviously improved (P<0.05), and were better in the mild hypothermia group than in the conventional group (P<0.05). The cerebral glucose metabolism rate was significantly better in the mild hypothermia group than in the conventional group (t>2.943, P<0.01). The cerebral glucose metabolism rate was negatively correlated with aEEG and NSE (r>0.640, P<0.05). Conclusion Mild hypothermia therapy could further promote the energy metabolism of brain cells in neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and aEEG can be used for early diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation.

Key words: newborn, bilirubin encephalopathy, mild hypothermia, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT, amplitude integrated electroencephalography, glucose metabolism, neuron-specific enolase