Abstract
Birth asphyxia (BA) is a preventable cause of cerebral insults in newborns. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Of the 120 million babies born in third world countries annually, it is estimated that about 3.6 million will develop BA. We aimed to determine the short term outcome and predictors of survival among birth asphyxiated babies using Apgar score. This study was carried out in the Newborn Unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital. In-hospital deliveries (Inborn) and those from other centers (Out-born) with one minute Apgar score ≤ 6 were included. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data from caregivers. Information sought included gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), Apgar score, place of delivery and outcome. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done. Of the 150 neonates, 61.3% survived. Majority of the dead were out-born. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The inborn were about 1.2 times (AOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.06-1.78) more likely to survive BA. Among low birth weights (LBWs), 73.9% died, 23.7% of normal weights and 14.3% of macrosomics died. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The normal weights were about 2 (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.76-6.25) and the macrosomics about 5 times more likely to survive BA than LBWs. Regarding GA, 78.8%, 17.2% and 18.2% of the pre-terms, term and post-dates died respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The term babies were about 11 (AOR = 11.27; 95% CI: 4.02-31-56) and post-dates about 9 (AOR = 8.79; 95% CI: 1.43-54.04) times more likely to survive BA than preterms. Other significant factors were degree of asphyxia (p = 0.003), and parental education (p < 0.001). BW, GA, degree of asphyxia, place of delivery and parental education all predicts survival among birth asphyxiated newborns.
Highlights
Birth asphyxia is a very common phenomenon in Africa and other third world countries, and is defined as the failure to initiate and sustain normal breathing at birth.[1]
All newborns delivered within the hospital (Inborn) with Apgar score ≤ 6 at one minute and those referred from other delivery centers (Outborn) with documented Apgar score ≤ 6 on presentation or with no assigned Apgar score but with a history of poor or inability to cry at birth, with poor or dusky color, in respiratory distress and floppy were included
P value at level of ≤ 0.05 was accepted as significant. During this period, a total of 150 neonates who met the inclusion criteria were admitted into the NBSCU with Apgar scores of ≤ 6
Summary
Birth asphyxia is a very common phenomenon in Africa and other third world countries, and is defined as the failure to initiate and sustain normal breathing at birth.[1]. African Health Sciences accumulation and probably severe hypoxic ischemic organ damage.[2,3] Birth asphyxia is the most significant preventable cause of cerebral insult in the newborn.[4] It is a neonatal emergency and a serious clinical problem globally. Birth asphyxia (BA) is a preventable cause of cerebral insults in newborns It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Objectives: We aimed to determine the short term outcome and predictors of survival among birth asphyxiated babies using Apgar score. Conclusion: BW, GA, degree of asphyxia, place of delivery and parental education all predicts survival among birth asphyxiated newborns. Short term outcome and predictors of survival among birth asphyxiated babies at a tertiary academic hospital in Enugu, SouthEast, Nigeria.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call