Antenatal and intrapartum risk factors for perinatal asphyxia: A case controlstudy.

Abstract

We have studied risk factors for perinatal asphyxia among babies fulfilling the inclusion criteria and compared them with matched controls. Maternal or antepartum factors included were maternal age, gestational age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and antenatal clinic (ANC) visits less than 3. Intrapartum factors included malpresentation, mode of delivery, meconium stained amniotic fluid, Chorioamnionitis and Prolonged rupture of membranes. Factors independently associated with perinatal asphyxia using multiple logistic regression analysis were instrumental delivery, inadequate antenatal care, maternal anemia and meconium stained amniotic fluid. Identifying the risk factors and taking appropriate measure could help in reducing the incidence of perinatal asphyxia.