Neonatal asphyxia: A study of 210 cases

Abstract

Objectives: Perinatal asphyxia remains an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate antenatal, natal, and postnatal risk factors of neonatal asphyxia, relationship with known risk factors and stage of Sarnat and Sarnat scores, the effect of risk factors on hospital discharge and survival for neonates with perinatal asphyxia. Materials and methods: In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the hospital records of 210 patients diagnosed as perinatal asphyxia. The patients’ demographic char- acteristics, antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum risk factors and Sarnat and Sarnat clinical staging criteria of newborns were analyzed. Results: The risk factors for asphyxia were detected antepartum period in 67.7% of newborns, intrapartum in 91% and potpartum in of 29.5% of neonates. When cases were examined according to the studied years, perinatal asphyxia ratio was the most frequent in 2007 as 28.1%. With a decline over the years, frequency dropped to %21 in 2010. The number of patients with stage 3 and mor- tality rate were significantly decreased over the years (p <0.05). Conclusions: Less preventable intrapartum causes of birth asphyxia are seen more frequently. Early detection of risk factors together with appropriate prenatal, natal and postnatal care provision, reduced emergency cae- sarean sections and will decrease considerably decrease frequency of perinatal asphyxia. We think that following up neonates who needed intensive care in neonatal units sufficiently equipped will decrease complications due to asphyxia. J Clin Exp Invest 2012; 3(2): 194-198