The international members of the Pediatric Life Support task force have reviewed the recent new adult clinical trials evidence, available pediatric evidence, the latest adult systematic review of temperature management and the Advanced Life Support Taskforce new consensus on science statement.
The current 2021 guidance is as follows:
We suggest that for infants and children who remain comatose following ROSC from OHCA or IHCA, active control of temperature be used to maintain a central temperature ≤ 37.5°C (weak recommendation, moderate-certainty evidence).
There is inconclusive evidence to support or refute the use of induced hypothermia (32°C to 34°C) compared with active control of temperature at normothermia (36°C to 37.5°C) (or an alternative temperature) for children who achieve ROSC but remain comatose after OHCA or IHCA.
The full pediatric statement can be found on the ILCOR website:
https://www.ilcor.org/news/post-arrest-temperature-management-in-children
