Electrolyte abnormalities in patients with perinatal asphyxia

Background: Perinatal hypoxia is still a major cause of death and disability in developing countries. The infant mortality rate fell from 92 per 1000 live births in 1991 to 43 per 1000 live births in 2011.  The aim of the study was to study the electrolyte abnormalities in perinatal asphyxia cases.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Pediatrics, Rangpur Medical College, and Hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh. The study duration was 2 years, from January 2012 to December 2013. The study was conducted with a total of 120 neonates admitted in the neonatal ward of the study hospital, among which, 60 neonates who had perinatal asphyxia were selected for the case group, and the remaining 60 were age and gender-matched control group participants.Results: In 70% of cases, the mother was Primipara. Among the neonates, 61.67% were male, and 38.33% were female. Only 33% of the case neonates had received regular antenatal check-ups, while 55% had irregular check-ups, and 11.67% had no antenatal checkups. According to the grading of asphyxia, 51.67% of neonates had moderate asphyxia, 20% had mild asphyxia, and 28.33% had severe asphyxia. The comparison of mean values between the case, and control groups showed that both blood urea, and serum creatinine levels were significantly higher among the case group participants, compared to control group values. The mean serum sodium value in mild, moderate, and severe asphyxia were 135.33, 123.42, and 121.53 mmol/l respectively. Mean serum potassium values were 4.11, 4.86, and 5.51 mmol/l respectively. Mean serum creatinine 0.72, 1.00, and 1.83 mg/dl respectively. Mean blood urea levels were 36.17, 58.97, and 88.06 mg/dl respectively. A significant difference was observed between the mean values of serum electrolytes and patients’ asphyxia grade.Conclusions: The study findings can conclude that electrolyte abnormalities are common among perinatal asphyxia patients, and babies with perinatal asphyxia developed hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia at a higher frequency, and significant raises of serum creatinine, and blood urea was also observed, which was proportionate to the severity of asphyxia.