Transient cholestasis in newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia.
In asphyxiated newborn infants, cholestasis often leads to extensive investigations and a cause can rarely be found.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency of transient neonatal cholestasis in an unselected group of asphyxiated newborn infants in a mother-child centre.


METHODS
Charts of 181 asphyxiated newborn infants born with appropriate birth weight for gestational age (AGA) or small weight for gestational age (SGA) at Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec between 1989 and 1993 were reviewed.


RESULTS
Transient neonatal cholestasis was found in 8.5% of asphyxiated AGA and 33% of SGA newborn infants, compared with 3.94% cholestasis of any etiology in nonasphyxiated SGA infants. Asphyxiated neonates born before the age of 35 weeks had an increased risk for transient neonatal cholestasis (odds ratio 2.84, CI 1.0-8.1)


CONCLUSIONS
Transient neonatal cholestasis is associated with several contributing factors related to the severity of the neonatal distress. Asphyxia is frequently accompanied by cholestasis in this group of newborns and without symptoms other than uncomplicated cholestasis. Investigations should be focussed on conditions requiring immediate therapy.
Herzog
D
D
Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Chessex
P
P
Martin
S
S
Alvarez
F
F
D001034:Apgar Score; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001724:Birth Weight; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors