EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MATERNAL COMPLICATIONS AND PROGNOSIS IN INFANTS WITH BIRTH ASPHYXIA

Introduction: Birth asphyxia is a serious health condition, requiring prenatal care. Determination of predisposing risk factors for asphyxia is important in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. However, limited research has been conducted in this regard. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal complications and prognosis in infants with birth asphyxia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 346 eligible postpartum women at Mashhad Ghaem Hospital in 2006-2013. Data collection tool, data registry forms, and interview forms were used to analyze pregnancy-related and childbirth data. The infants were divided into two groups with and without asphyxia. For a more detailed comparison, the number of infants in both groups were considered equal and asphyxia associated with problems during pregnancy were compared in the two groups. Independent t-test, Chi-square, and ANOVA were performed, using SPSS version 11.5. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of 346 women surveyed in this study, 168 (48.55) subjects gave birth to asphyxic newborns and 178 (51.44) subjects delivered healthy newborns (without asphyxia). The difference in pregnancy complications was significant between the two groups (P<0.001). Overall, 40 (16.46) women with asphyxic newborns and 85 (34.97) women with healthy newborns underwent vaginal delivery (P<0.001). Also, 43 (27.21) mothers with asphyxic newborns and 3 (1.89) women with healthy newborns experienced significant pregnancy-related complications (P<0.001). Moreover, 10 (6.45) women with asphyxic newborns had complications during delivery, while mothers with healthy newborns experienced no such complications (P<0.001). Conclusion: As the results indicated, there is a direct relationship between maternal complications (during pregnancy or delivery) and the outcome of neonatal asphyxia. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to prenatal and childbirth care.