title: Assessment of Risk Factors and Prognosis in Asphyxiated Infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asphyxia is considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. This condition can affect many vital organs including the central nervous system and may eventually lead to death or developmental disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Considering the high prevalence of asphyxia and its adverse consequences, the present study was conducted to evaluate the risk factors for birth asphyxia and assess their correlation with prognosis in asphyxiated infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  This two-year follow-up cohort study was conducted on 260 infants (110 asphyxiated infants and 150 healthy neonates) at Mashhad Ghaem Hospital during 2007 - 2014. Data collection tools consisted of a researcher-designed questionnaire including maternal and neonatal information and clinical/laboratory test results. The subjects were followed-up, using Denver II test for 6, 12, 18, and 24 months (after discharge). For data analysis, t-test was performed, using SPSS version 16.5. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 260 neonates, 199 (76.5%) and 61 (23.5%) cases presented with normal neonatal outcomes and with abnormal neonatal outcomes (developmental delay), respectively. Variables such as the severity of asphyxia (P = 0.000), five-minute Apgar score (P = 0.015), need for ventilation (P = 0.000), and severity of acidosis at birth (P = 0.001) were the major prognostic factors in infants with asphyxia. Additionally, prognosis was significantly poorer in boys and infants with dystocia history (P = 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of risk factors for developmental delay including the severity of asphyxia need for mechanical ventilation, and severity of acidosis at birth, dystocia, and Apgar score were lower in surviving infants; therefore, controlling these risk factors may reduce asphyxia-associated complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boskabadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ashrafzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad,IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Doosti
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery, School of Medicine, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zakerihamidi
keywords: Asphyxia; Denver II Test; Hypoxic-Ischemia Encephalopathy; Neonatal; Risk Factors