Risk Factors of Birth Asphyxia : Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Birth asphyxia is a condition of failure to start breathing in neonates or unable to maintain spontaneous breathing at birth. Neonatal asphyxia is a contributor to 30-35% of neonatal deaths. The incidence of birth asphyxia in infants in developing countries is 10 times greater than in developed countries, especially if maternal and neonatal health services are inadequate. The incidence of asphyxia is inseparable from the accompanying risk factors. Therefore, this study aims to determine the risk factors for the incidence of asphyxia in newborns based on fetal and maternal factors. Method: This research is a literature review where researchers will review articles that are relevant to predetermined criteria. Articles were screened based on titles, abstracts, keywords, inclusion criteria, and the contents of the entire text, and the seven most relevant articles were obtained for review. Result: The results of a literature search showed that the most risk factors for the incidence of birth asphyxia were: Fetal factors consisting of low birth weight, prematurity, meconium amniotic fluid, malpresentation, and umbilical cord entanglement. Then on maternal factors, the most risk factors were prolonged labor, preeclampsia, primigravida mothers, and post-term pregnancies. Conclussion : Based on the results of a search of seven literature, researchers have taken the most mentioned factors and grouped these factors into 2 factors, namely fetal factors and maternal factors.