Perinatal Asphyxia In Term Neonates Seen In Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization estimates that 4 million children are born with asphyxia every year, of which 1 million die and an equal number survive with severe neurologic squeal. Majority of cases are in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, associated factors, and hospital outcome of term neonates hospitalized for perinatal asphyxia.METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive cross-sectional observational study of term neonates with low Apgar scores and outborn babies with no Apgar score but with features of asphyxia admitted over a period of 12 months into the Special Care Baby Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Case files of the patients were retrieved, and relevant information was obtained.RESULTS: Forty-nine of 212 babies admitted had perinatal asphyxia giving a prevalence of 23.1%. Majority of the babies were males and presented within the first 12 h of life with a mean birth weight of 2.66 +/- 0.52 kg. Most of the mothers of the asphyxiated babies were primiparous and booked and had prolonged obstructed labor. Thirty-six (73.4%) of the babies were discharged home, eight (16.3%) left against medical advice, and five died to give the case fatality rate of 10.3%.CONCLUSION: Perinatal asphyxia is a common cause of neonatal morbidity. It was common among babies delivered through emergency cesarean section whose mothers are primiparous and had prolonged labor and/or eclampsia.