Duration of Induced Hypothermia After Pediatric Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Pediatric guidelines retain induced hypothermia as an option, but its optimal duration is uncertain. We compared survival and favorable neurologic outcomes across duration-specific strategies.

Methods

Five databases and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through 20 August 2026. A random-effects network meta-analysis compared 24, 48, and 72 h hypothermia (HT) with heterogeneous Control strategies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions tool; certainty was assessed using Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA).

Results