Is intrapartum asphyxia preventable?
The contribution of intrapartum events to asphyxia-related mortality and morbidity and the degree to which it may be prevented are controversial. We examined trends in asphyxia-related mortality and morbidity in a single large regional perinatal centre. Between 1994 and 2005, the rate of asphyxia fell from 2.86/1000 births in 1994 to 0.91/1000 births in 2005 (P < 0.001). Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy of all grades fell from 2.41 to 0.77/1000 live births (P < 0.001). This substantial and steady fall in the rate of asphyxia-related mortality and morbidity over a 12-year period suggests that a significant proportion of cases of intrapartum asphyxia may be preventable.
Becher
J-C
JC
Department of Neonatology, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. julie-clare.becher@luht.scot.nhs.uk
Stenson
B J
BJ
Lyon
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors