Maria Jonsson1, Johan Ågren2, Solveig Nordén-Lindeberg2, Andreas Ohlin3, Ulf Hanson2. 1. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.jonsson@kbh.uu.se. 2. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In cases with moderate and severe neonatal encephalopathy, we aimed to determine the proportion that was attributable to asphyxia during labor and to investigate the association between cardiotocographic (CTG) patterns and neonatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: In a study population of 71,189 births from 2 Swedish university hospitals, 80 cases of neonatal encephalopathy were identified. Cases were categorized by admission CTG patterns (normal or abnormal) and by the presence of asphyxia (cord pH, <7.00; base deficit, ≥12 mmol/L). Cases with normal admission CTG patterns and asphyxia at birth were considered to experience asphyxia related to labor. CTG patterns were assessed for the 2 hours preceding delivery. RESULTS: Admission CTG patterns were normal in 51 cases (64%) and abnormal in 29 cases (36%). The rate of cases attributable to asphyxia (ie, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy) was 48 of 80 cases (60%), most of which evolved during labor (43/80 cases; 54%). Both severe neonatal encephalopathy and neonatal death were more frequent with an abnormal, rather than with a normal, admission CTG pattern (13 [45%] vs 11 [22%]; P = .03), and 6 [21%] vs 3 [6%]; P = .04), respectively. Comparison of cases with an abnormal and a normal admission CTG pattern also revealed more frequently observed decreased variability (12 [60%] and 8 [22%], respectively) and more late decelerations (8 [40%] and 1 [3%], respectively). CONCLUSION: Moderate and severe encephalopathy is attributable to asphyxia in 60% of cases, most of which evolve during labor. An abnormal admission CTG pattern indicates a poorer neonatal outcome and more often is associated with pathologic CTG patterns preceding delivery.
OBJECTIVE: In cases with moderate and severe neonatal encephalopathy, we aimed to determine the proportion that was attributable to asphyxia during labor and to investigate the association between cardiotocographic (CTG) patterns and neonatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: In a study population of 71,189 births from 2 Swedish university hospitals, 80 cases of neonatal encephalopathy were identified. Cases were categorized by admission CTG patterns (normal or abnormal) and by the presence of asphyxia (cord pH, <7.00; base deficit, ≥12 mmol/L). Cases with normal admission CTG patterns and asphyxia at birth were considered to experience asphyxia related to labor. CTG patterns were assessed for the 2 hours preceding delivery. RESULTS: Admission CTG patterns were normal in 51 cases (64%) and abnormal in 29 cases (36%). The rate of cases attributable to asphyxia (ie, hypoxic ischemicencephalopathy) was 48 of 80 cases (60%), most of which evolved during labor (43/80 cases; 54%). Both severe neonatal encephalopathy and neonatal death were more frequent with an abnormal, rather than with a normal, admission CTG pattern (13 [45%] vs 11 [22%]; P = .03), and 6 [21%] vs 3 [6%]; P = .04), respectively. Comparison of cases with an abnormal and a normal admission CTG pattern also revealed more frequently observed decreased variability (12 [60%] and 8 [22%], respectively) and more late decelerations (8 [40%] and 1 [3%], respectively). CONCLUSION: Moderate and severe encephalopathy is attributable to asphyxia in 60% of cases, most of which evolve during labor. An abnormal admission CTG pattern indicates a poorer neonatal outcome and more often is associated with pathologic CTG patterns preceding delivery.
Authors: Christopher A Lear; Guido Wassink; Jenny A Westgate; Jan G Nijhuis; Austin Ugwumadu; Robert Galinsky; Laura Bennet; Alistair J Gunn Journal: J Physiol Date: 2018-04-26 Impact factor: 5.182