Therapeutic systemic hypothermia for a pediatric patient with an isolated cervical spinal cord injury.

Context: While uncommon, spinal cord injuries most frequently occur in adolescent and young adult males. Established treatment options are limited and focused on supportive care. Therapeutic systemic hypothermia is an emerging experimental treatment currently undergoing clinical trials in adults.Findings: Here we report a case of a 13-year-old male with an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade C traumatic cervical spinal cord injury treated with 48 hours of therapeutic systemic hypothermia who made a complete neurological recovery. To our knowledge, this is the youngest such case report.Clinical relevance: This case suggests that consideration should be given to including pediatric patients in future clinical trials of therapeutic hypothermia for spinal cord injury.

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Author Mark Donald Piehl Pediatrics, Community Programs