Term intra-partum asphyxia: an analysis of acute non-specific supportive criteria and non-CNS organ injury.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the frequencies and relationships of non-specific non-essential diagnostic criteria and non-CNS organ system injury in term intra-partum asphyxia.


METHODS
All children with term intra-partum asphyxia encountered in a single pediatric neurology practice with at least two years follow-up and an abnormal neurologic outcome were identified.


RESULTS
A total of 40 children (28 males, 12 females) were identified. Twenty-four had moderate NE and sixteen severe NE. The mean number of non-specific non-essential diagnostic criteria (out of a possible 7) was 4.75+/-1.39 SD. Sixty percent had five or more criteria and all criteria were present in only 10% of newborns. The mean number of non-CNS organ systems affected was 2.88+/-1.96 SD (out of a possible 6). Ten percent of our sample showed no evident non-CNS organ injury acutely.


CONCLUSIONS
Most asphyxiated neonates failed to consistently satisfy all elements of present consensus statements.
Pinchefsky
Elana
E
Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Al-Macki
Nabil
N
Shevell
Michael
M
D001034:Apgar Score; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000150:complications*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*