Abstracts

Rationale: Perinatal asphyxia can cause hypoxic and ischemic damage to the brain, potentially leading to neonatal seizures that can influence neurodevelopmental prognosis. Therefore, understanding the factors that predict the occurrence of neonatal seizures in those who have experienced perinatal asphyxia is crucial.


Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 23 newborns with perinatal asphyxia in the neonatal intensive care unit at Dankook University Hospital from January 2022 to September 2023

Neonates were assessed using Apgar and Sarnat scores, and blood gas analyses, including cord blood, were performed.


Results: In our study of 23 newborns who experienced perinatal asphyxia, 17.4% (n=4) developed seizures. There were no significant differences in gestational age or birth weight between the groups with and without seizures. A difference was observed in the 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores between the two groups, but it did not reach statistical significance. Although the challenges in confirming the difference in blood gas analysis (BGA) values through cord blood, significant differences were found in initial bicarbonate (HCO3) levels and anion gap (AG) values from neonatal initial blood (p=0.01 and p=0.033 respectively), which correlated with the occurrence of seizures. The Apgar scores at 1-minute and 5-minute did not demonstrate statistical significance in relation to neonatal seizures (p=0.266, p=0.328). However, all cases with neonatal seizures had a Sarnat score of moderate or severe (p=0.016). Upon analyzing the correlation, we observed initial HCO3 (rho=0.539, p=0.010), AG (rho=-0.465, p=0.029), and Sarnat score (rho=-0.511, p=0.013).


Conclusions: This study suggests that in neonates who experienced perinatal asphyxia, the Sarnat score, which confirms the degree of asphyxiation, along with the initial HCO3 value and AG results, could be effective predictors of neonatal seizures.


Funding: This study did not receive any grants.