Study of Risk Factors for Neonatal Mortality Due to Birth Asphyxia in a Rural Medical Centre, Maharashtra

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo determine the maternal and fetal risk factors for perinatal asphyxia and to know the mortality in the asphyxiated babies. METHODSAll the consecutive hospital live births were evaluated during the study period of one year. Out of this birth cohort, asphyxiated babies were grouped into cases and non-asphyxiated group as controls. Maternal, intrapartum and neonatal variables were recorded in all births. Data was analysed and various statistical tests of significance applied to find the risk of association of various factors to birth asphyxia.