title: Perinatal Asphyxia from the Obstetric Standpoint: Diagnosis and Interventions.
abstract: Perinatal asphyxia is a general term referring to neonatal encephalopathy related to events during birth. Asphyxia refers to a deprivation of oxygen for a duration sufficient to cause neurologic injury. Most cases of perinatal asphyxia are not necessarily caused by intrapartum events but rather associated with underlying chronic maternal or fetal conditions. Of intrapartum causes, obstetric emergencies are the most common and are not always preventable. Screening high-risk pregnancies with ultrasound, Doppler velocimetry, and antenatal testing can aid in identifying fetuses at risk. Interventions such as intrauterine resuscitation or operative delivery may decrease the risk of severe hypoxia from intrauterine insults and improve long-term neurologic outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Intermountain Healthcare, 121 Cottonwood Street, Murray, UT 84157, USA. Electronic address: Christina.Herrera@hsc.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Christina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Intermountain Healthcare, 121 Cottonwood Street, Murray, UT 84157, USA.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Silver
mesh_terms: D000037:Abruptio Placentae / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005311:Fetal Hypoxia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008403:Mass Screening; D009774:Obstetrics; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012151:Resuscitation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014470:Umbilical Cord; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Birth asphyxia; Cerebral palsy; Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; Neonatal encephalopathy; Perinatal asphyxia