DANVILLE -- A Clearfield County newborn was recently the first patient at Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital to receive a new treatment that helps babies who are oxygen-starved avoid neurological complications.

Isabelle Ann McMonigal, of Allport, received treatment from the Olympic Cool-Cap in late April. Since then, the swelling inside her brain has decreased dramatically, she is feeding well and she is showing little or no signs of brain damage, according to her father, Christian McMonigal.

"It was a complete turnaround," Mr. McMonigal said. "She's doing very well now, and we're really fortunate that the equipment was there at Geisinger."

The Cool-Cap is the only FDA-approved treatment for babies who experience brain injuries after being deprived of oxygen during birth. Geisinger is one of the only providers in Pennsylvania using it, according to health officials.

When babies are asphyxiated at birth, it causes a condition known as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), where brain and spinal cord cells are damaged or killed. This can lead to long-term neurological problems such as mental retardation, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

An estimated two to four out of every 1,000 newborns experience HIE, officials said.

However, the Cool-Cap gives the baby's brain a chance to heal before those permanent problems develop, according to Dr. James Cook, Geisinger's neonatology director.

"The Cool-Cap essentially slows down metabolism in the brain and allows the brain to get rid of toxins," Dr. Cook said "This enables the brain to focus all of its efforts toward repairing itself."

Placed on the baby's head immediately after birth, the water-filled cap drops a baby's head and body temperature to 34 degrees centigrade and maintains cooling for 72 hours; the baby is gradually warmed.

The cap, which also includes cooling and control units and temperature probes, can reduce brain swelling and inflammation.

The FDA reports that the Cool-Cap may help the approximately 5,000 to 9,000 babies who are born in the U.S. each year with moderate to severe HIE. At least 25 percent of those babies suffer neurological problems.

"The Janet Weis Children's Hospital is a premier pediatric care facility," Dr. Cook said. "This new system is yet another tool that we have to help critically ill newborns."

Money raised during last year's Children's Miracle Network's celebration paid for the Cool-Cap.

For more information, visit www.geisinger.org.