[Perinatal factors predicting hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in asphyxic newborn infants]

Between 1 May 1984 and 30 April 1985, 1,354 term or posterm neonates being white and having asphyxia in controlled delivery were studied to predict development of neurological signs and its seriousness. In each case correlations were estimated between the existence of neurological signs and its grade and 100 gestational, obstetric and neonatal factors of potential predictor. The discriminatory analysis indicated that the more significants predictors were: Apgar at five minutes, prolonged labor, twins, resuscitation, DIP I, cephalhematoma, caput succedaneum, umbilical artery pH, urgent cesarean section, hemorrhagic amniotic fluid, gestational edema, variable DIP, high forceps. A discriminatory value less than or equal to 2 predicts no neurological sign in 93.8%, while a value greater than or equal to 3 predicts moderate or serious signs is 98.4%.