Main Article Content

Relationships between cardiovascular signs and neurological signs in asphyxiated neonates in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria


Amudalat Issa
Mohammed Baba Abdulkadir
Omotayo Olukemi Adesiyun
Bilkis Owolabi
Habibat Suberu
Kayode Olusegun Alabi
Ruqayat Ronke Bakare

Abstract

Background: Perinatal asphyxia is a condition associated with multiple organ dysfunctions inclusive of cardiovascular dys- function. Neurologic predictors of survival have been studied, but little has been reported regarding cardiovascular signs and their role in determining outcome in asphyxia.


Objective: The study aimed to determine the relationship between cardiovascular signs and outcomes in asphyxiated new- borns with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.


Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving asphyxiated new-born babies recruited within the first 24 hours of life. Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy staging was done using Sarnat and Sarnat staging. All patients had a detailed cardi- ovascular examination on admission, after initial resuscitation (30 – 60 minutes) into admission, and were followed till final outcome: discharge or death.


Results: Eighty-five asphyxiated new-borns with HIE were studied over seven months. Abnormal cardiovascular-related signs identified in the patients included respiratory distress (64.7%), small volume pulse (57.6%), hypotension (52.9%), hy- poxemia (48.2%) and shock (32.9%). Five babies died. None of the clinical signs had a significant relationship with mortality.


Conclusion: Abnormal cardiovascular signs increased with the progression of HIE staging but had no relationship with mortality.


Keywords: Cardiovascular signs; Neurological outcomes; Mortality; Perinatal asphyxia.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1729-0503
print ISSN: 1680-6905