Trends in neonatal outcome with low Apgar scores.
Trends in incidence and neonatal outcome following low Apgar scores (1 min Apgar score < 6) were prospectively studied during the years (1981, 1983, 1986 and 1988. The incidence of birth asphyxia was 7.6% of live births during the study period; it was 5.8% in 1981, increased to highest of 8.9% in 1986 with slight reduction to 7.2% in 1988. Birth weight distribution of asphyxiated babies and 1 min Apgar score < 3 (severe asphyxia) remained unchanged. A significant decline in neonatal mortality with asphyxia was noted from 46.0% to 28.4% during 1981 and 1988 respectively. Aetiological factors for asphyxia could be identified in nearly 90% of infants during 1988, and all but 2 of 12 factors studied registered significant differences from control non-asphyxiated group.
Kumari
S
S
Special Care Neonatal Unit, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi.
Sharma
M
M
Yadav
M
M
Saraf
A
A
Kabra
M
M
Mehra
R
R
D001034:Apgar Score; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001724:Birth Weight; D003906:Developing Countries; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors