[A descriptive study of perinatal asphyxia and its sequelae]

Abstract

Introduction: Perinatal asphyxia is a potential cause of brain injury that can produce some alterations on the neurologic development of the newborn. On the last years most part of the investigation have been focused on the physiopathology of the perinatal asphyxia, but correlation between asphyxia and brain damage is not well defined.

Patients and methods: A retrospective study was made of the patients with the diagnosis of perinatal asphyxia born at the General Hospital of Segovia during a period of ten years (1992-2001). We took data about gestation, birth, neonatal period and follow-up period from their clinical histories.

Results: Over this period of ten years 703 cases of perinatal asphyxia have been diagnosed, supposing this an incidence of 7,2 cases of each 100 newborns. 116 of these newborns present risk factors of brain damage and were followed at least two years. 53 of the 116 newborns (45%) present evidence of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy on neonatal period. During the period of two years, 42 of the asphyxiated infants follow up (36%) present neurologic sequelae, being psychomotor retardation the most common.

Conclusion: For a correct interpretation of the relationship between perinatal asphyxia and neurologic sequelae we have to analyze all of the perinatal data and discard any other possible aetiology or pathogenic mechanism.