Foetal co-relates and mode of delivery in asphyxia neonatorum

A prospective study was conducted on consequitively born live births for determining the role of certain foetal factors and mode of delivery on asphyxia neonatorum. The difference in the incidence of neonatal asphxia in 1208 singleton births (8.5%) and in the 66 multiple births (9.7%) was statistically significantly (p<0.01). Among the singleton live births a significantly increased incidence of asphyxia was recorded in preterms when compared to term and post term babies collectively (p<0.001). Small for date babies were at a greater risk for asphxia neonatorum when compared to babies weighing appropriate for gestational age (p<0.001). An inverse relationship was observed between birth weight and asphyxia neonatorum. A significant difference was seen in the occurrence of neonatal asphyxia between babies weighing <2000 g. and those weighing more than 2000 g. (p<0.001). The incidence was significantly influenced by mode of delivery, being highest in vaginal breech delivery followed in decreasing frequency by forceps and normal vaginal delivery. Among vaginal breech delivered neonates those weighing ≥2500 g were at the highest risk. Evidence of foetal distress and meconium stained amniotic fluid had a low predictability of asphyxia being 35.0% and 40.0% respectively though both were statistically significant (p<0.001).