Clinical Profile and Outcome of Term Asphyxiated Neonates in Neonatal ICU of Rural India

India contributes to one fifth of global live births and more than a quarter of neonatal deaths. Of the total 6.3 million children who died before age 5years, around 2.76 million were neonates, the highest for any country in the world. In India where traditional practices are commonly followed, perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of immediate and long-term morbidity and mortality. To study clinical profile and immediate outcome of term neonates with birth asphyxia. A prospective observational study was conducted in tertiary care NICU of Vadodara district, Gujarat, from May 2017 to June 2018. Full term asphyxiated neonates were included in the study. Risk factors for birth asphyxia, their clinical profile, course and complications were recorded. Immediate outcome of newborns with birth asphyxia outcome was analysed. Out of the total 2702 term live births during the study period, 45 (2.17 %) neonates were born asphyxiated. Most common risk factors were foetal distress 13 (28.89%), intrauterine growth restriction(IUGR) 8(17.78%), meconium stained liquor (MSL) 5(11.11%) cord around neck 9 20.0%), pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) 5(11.11%) and prolonged labour 9(20%). 20(44.44%) neonates had moderate asphyxia and 25(55.56%) had severe asphyxia