Abstract

Objective: To explore birth asphyxia and its associated risk factors among newborns in tertiary care hospital of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir.
Methodology: This case control study was carried out at the department of gynecology and neonatology in Divisional Head Quarter Hospital, Mirpur, Azad Kashmir from January 2024 to June 2024. In total, 430 newborns were enrolled which included 215 cases and 215 controls. Fetal distress, protracted labor, primigravida, and meconium-stained liquor were the study factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Result: Out of 430 newborns, 249(57.9%) were male. There was no significant difference found between the demographic features of the cases and controls (p>0.05). Among controls, the mean Apgar score was 7.906+1.18 and, in the cases, it was 4.093+1.06. In 121(56.2%) cases, fetal distress was noted while in controls, it was observed in 46(21.3%) (p=0.0001). 172(80%) cases had meconium in the amniotic fluid while in 87(40.4%) of the controls (p=0.0001). In 124(57.67%) cases, prolonged labor was noted as compared to 56(26.0%) controls (p=0.0001).
Conclusion: The main risk factors for birth asphyxia were meconium-stained liquor, prolonged labor for more than 24 hours and fetal distress.

Key words: Birth asphyxia, risk factors, newborns.