Prevalence and Associated Factors of Birth Asphyxia in Term Neonate: A Multicenter Retrospective Case-Control Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64960/srimedj.v40i5.266574Keywords:
birth asphyxia, term newborns, risk factors, intrapartum asphyxiaAbstract
Background and Objectives: Birth asphyxia is a major cause of neonatal morbidity, long-term disability, and mortality. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of intrapartum asphyxia among term newborns in multiple hospitals across Thailand. The findings from this study may be used to support surveillance and preventive strategies to reduce the incidence of birth asphyxia in newborns.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective case-control study utilized data from the electronic medical records of Wanon Niwat Hospital, Udon Thani Hospital, Ang Thong Hospital, Ban Phue Hospital, Ban Dung Hospital, and Nong Han Hospital. The study investigated birth asphyxia among 25,366 term infants delivered between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. Mothers of term infants diagnosed with birth asphyxia were identified as the case group and compared with mothers of term infants without asphyxia, who served as the control group. The prevalence and associated factors of birth asphyxia were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.
Results The prevalence of birth asphyxia was 2.43%. Statistically significant risk factors included maternal age 35 years or older (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.41; 95% CI: 1.05–1.88), nulliparity (AOR 1.91; 95% CI: 1.52–2.40), maternal education at the undergraduate level (AOR 1.90; 95% CI: 1.26–2.87), maternal overweight (AOR 1.39; 95% CI: 1.08–1.79), maternal obesity (AOR 1.54; 95% CI: 1.07–2.23), pregnancy-induced hypertension (AOR 1.68; 95% CI: 1.18–2.40), cesarean delivery (AOR 1.30; 95% CI: 1.04–1.63), small for gestational age (AOR 2.43; 95% CI: 1.83–3.24), and non-vertex presentation (AOR 2.16; 95% CI: 1.45–3.21).
Conclusion: The prevalence of birth asphyxia in this study was 2.43%. The most significant risk factor identified was small for gestational age, a condition that is potentially preventable. Early and consistent monitoring for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), accurate diagnosis, and timely intervention in the high risk cases are essential in reducing the prevalence of birth asphyxia.
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