Risk factors of birth asphyxia in neonates

Abstract

Background: Perinatal asphyxia is an insult to fetus or newborn due to lack of oxygen (hypoxia) or lack of perfusion (ischemia) to various organ of sufficient magnitude and duration. Perinatal asphyxia is one of the major causes of early neonatal mortality in India. Objective: To study the risk factors of birth asphyxia in children. Design: Observational prospective study on babies delivered in our hospital and requiring resuscitation. Duration: March 2014 to September 2014. Setting: Department of Paediatrics, Bhaskar Medical College. Participants: 100 babies delivered in our hospital and requiring resuscitation. Methods: All neonates who needed resuscitation at birth were included. Maternal obstetric history was taken which included the gravity, parity, abortions and living issues. Mother’s ANC status was asked. Mother’s ABO Blood group and Rh type was taken. History of maternal health conditions was asked for. History of maternal illness was also taken. Neonatal information was entered next which birth weight, term information and others. Results: The mean age of mothers was 25.3 years. 54% neonates were born to primiparous mothers. Anemia was widely prevalent in the mothers of neonates requiring resuscitation. The maternal risk factors for newborns requiring resuscitation were PIH (22%), oligohydramnios (14%),multiple gestation (4%), PROM (3%), diabetes mellitus (3%) and UTI (5%). One third of neonates requiring resuscitation were born to unbooked mothers. The fetal factors associated with resuscitation of newborns were IUGR (35%), fetal distress (32%), prematurity (31%), MAS (10%) and mal-presentations (4%). Conclusion: The most common maternal risk factors for newborns requiring resuscitation was PIH followed by oligohydramnios, multiple gestation, PROM, diabetes mellitus and UTI. IUGR was the most common fetal risk factor followed by fetal distress, prematurity, MAS and mal-presentations.