Is intrapartum asphyxia preventable?

BJOG. 2007 Nov;114(11):1442-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01487.x. Epub 2007 Sep 17.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asphyxia Neonatorum / mortality
  • Asphyxia Neonatorum / prevention & control*
  • Cesarean Section / statistics & numerical data
  • Cohort Studies
  • Extraction, Obstetrical / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age
  • Male
  • Maternal Age
  • Pregnancy
  • Prevalence
  • Scotland / epidemiology
  • Sex Distribution
  • Socioeconomic Factors