European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Fetal asphyxia has been a concern since the 19th century when it was first identifiedthat defective oxygen supply is associated with the process of labour. In the present situation the identification of asphyxia is very crucial to initiate need for early active intervention thus reducing the risk of perinatal morbitidy and improve neonatal outcome. Perinatal asphyxia occurs as a result of deprivation of oxygen due to reduced blood supply to brain. Hence the clinical presentation of asphyxia has to be correlated with severity and duration of asphyxia. The complications of perinatal asphyxia are Hypoxemic ischemic encephalopathy which is most severe and common presentation, others include RDS, NEC, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, MAS, ATN and multiorgan failure. Material and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Chittoor from October 2022 to March 2023. Among these, variations of various parameters in asphyxiated newborn are compared with non-asphyxiated newborn. After separation of the baby, cord blood collected from the placental side and smear made to assess presence of nucleated red blood cells. Acid base status of the newbornalso will be assessed by acid base analysis. Results: About 17% women are in the age group of 16-20years, 12% are in the agegroup of 26-30 years, 4% are in the age group of 31-35years. Majority belong to 21- 25years age group of 65%. Among the 100 pregnant women in the antepartum period, 82% had reactive CTG and 18 % had non reactive CTG. Among the study group of 100 antenatal women, 74% has normal modified biophysical profile. 10% has variation in AFI, 14 % has abnormal CTG and 3 % has abnormality in both AFI and CTG. In my study comparison of group of neonates with reactive vs non-reactive intrapartum CTG was carried out. IP CTG was reactive in 48%, equivoval in 8% and non-reactive in 45%. Conclusion: Together, various parameters can be used as an essential, non invasive approach for early detection of any fetal distress. All the parameters taken in the study are easier to implement in the routine care of antenatal women, are less expensive and they provide a reassuring information regarding the status of the fetus in utero. Hence the study concludes the use of modified biophysical profile in antepartum period, intrapartum CTG and APGAR scores, number of cord blood nucleated RBC and acid base as tools of fetal surveillance in predicting the perinatal outcome.