A STUDY OF NEONATES WITH BIRTH ASPHYXIA FOR SEQUELAE OVER 2 YEARS

Abstract

Introduction: Birth asphyxia is associated with reduction in the arterial oxygen tension, accumulation of carbon dioxide and fall in blood pH. Acidosis occurs due to anerobic utilization of glucose, production of lactic acid and accumulation of carbon dioxide.

Aim: To study outcome of neonates who suffered birth asphyxia and Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in a teaching hospital over a period of 2 years.

Materials & Methods: 325 neonates with birth asphyxia and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy were studied, with well defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were treated according to standard protocols. Observations : 106 neonates of HIE-I, 58 neonates of HIE-II, and 59 neonates of HIE-III were followed up: for various outcomes like death due to complications, cerebral palsy, developmental delay with epilepsy, hearing handicap etc.

Results: In HIE-I no case progressed to cerebral palsy, in HIE-II 24.13% progressed into CP and in HIE-III 54.2% developed spastic cerebral palsy.

Conclusion: Infants with severe grades of HIE have increased risk of long term neurological sequlae.

Keywords: Neonate, Birth asphyxia, Acidosis, Neonatal encephalopathy