Perinatal risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Vali-e-Asr hospital, Tehran-Iran

Abstract

Background: Asphyxia is a medical condition in which placental or\npulmonary gas exchange is impaired or they cease all together,\ntypically producing a combination of progressive hypoxemia and\nhypercapnea. Objective: In addition to regional differences in its\netiology; it is important to know its risk factors. Materials and\nMethods: This is a case-control study, all neonates born from May 2002\nto September 2005 in Vali-e-Asr Hospital were studied. 9488 newborns\nwere born of which 6091 of the live patients were hospitalized in NICU.\n546 newborns were studied as case and control group. 260 neonates (48%)\nwere female and 286 neonates (52%) were male. Among the neonates who\nwere admitted, 182 of them were diagnosed with asphyxia and twice of\nthem (364 newborns) were selected as a control group. The variables\nconsist of; gestational age, type of delivery, birth weight, prenatal\ncare, pregnancy and peripartum complications and neonatal disorders.\nResults: Our studies showed that 35 (19.2%) patients had mild asphyxia,\n107 (58.8%) had moderate asphyxia and 40 (22%) were diagnosed as severe\nasphyxia. Mean maternal age was 34.23±4.29yr; (range: 23-38 yr);\nand mean of parity was 2±1.2; (range: 1-8). Risk factors in our\nstudy included emergent Caesarian Section, preterm labor (<37w), low\nbirth weight (<2500g), 5 minute Apgar (less than 6), need for\nresuscitation, nuchal cord, impaired Biophysical Profile, neonatal\nanemia, and maternal infertility. Conclusion: All risk factors listed\nabove play a role in asphyxia. The majority of these factors are\navoidable by means of good perinatal care.