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Birth asphyxia survivors in a developing country

Journal of Perinatology volume 29, pages 243–249 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Determine the baseline incidence of birth asphyxia in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) survivors in a developing country and the early neurodevelopmental outcomes of such infants.

Study Design:

This cross-sectional, prospective study collected diagnostic and examination findings on all infants seen in the University of Zambia NICU follow-up clinic over a 4-week period.

Result:

Of the 182 infants, 42 (23%) had a clinical diagnosis of birth asphyxia. Of 42 infants with birth asphyxia, 13 (31%) had an abnormal neurologic examination during the clinic visit; in contrast, 13 of 141 infants without birth asphyxia (9%) had an abnormal examination (odds ratio 4.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.8, 10.4).

Conclusion:

Birth asphyxia survivors account for almost a quarter of NICU survivors in a developing country and half of those with an abnormal neurologic examination. Studies are necessary to determine the percent of birth asphyxia survivors who have permanent motor and cognitive disabilities.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all of the patients, physicians, nurses and medical records personnel at The University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, who helped make this study a success. In addition, thank you to Carolyn S Ashworth, MD, MPH at the University of Alabama at Birmingham whose understanding and flexibility made the work in Zambia possible.

This study was supported by Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research (HD 434646-03)—National Institute of Health, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; BRAIN Planning Grant for the Developing World (TW006703-02)—National Institute of Child Health and Development; UAB Perinatal Health and Human Development Pilot Grant; KL2 RR024994-ICTS Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Career Development Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MI, USA

    D R Halloran

  2. Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, RTI International, RTP, NC, USA

    E McClure & H Chakraborty

  3. University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

    E Chomba

  4. Center for Research for Mothers and Children, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD, USA

    L L Wright

  5. Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    W A Carlo

Authors
  1. D R Halloran
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  2. E McClure
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  3. H Chakraborty
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  4. E Chomba
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  5. L L Wright
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  6. W A Carlo
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Correspondence to D R Halloran.

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Halloran, D., McClure, E., Chakraborty, H. et al. Birth asphyxia survivors in a developing country. J Perinatol 29, 243–249 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.192

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