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Asphyxia-related infant mortality rates
1Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Perinatal asphyxia contributed to 4.0% of infant deaths in Israel (1985-1988). High birthweight (>4.5 kg) increased asphyxia risk, while teenage pregnancy did not.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Perinatal Health
- Infant Mortality
Background:
- Infant mortality remains a significant public health concern globally.
- Perinatal asphyxia is a major contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding risk factors for asphyxia-related infant deaths is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of asphyxia-related infant mortality in Israel.
- To analyze the association between perinatal asphyxia and various risk factors including birthweight, maternal age, and birth order.
- To compare asphyxia-related mortality rates with overall infant mortality rates.
Main Methods:
- An epidemiological study utilizing linked birth and death certificates from Israel (1985-1988).
- Analysis of 397,083 live births and 4392 infant deaths.
- Calculation of asphyxia-related infant mortality rates and comparison across different demographic and birth characteristics.
Main Results:
- Perinatal asphyxia was associated with 4.0% of infant deaths, yielding an infant mortality rate of 0.44/1000 live births.
- Asphyxia-related mortality was proportional within the low birthweight group.
- Birthweight exceeding 4.5 kg disproportionately increased the risk of asphyxia-related mortality.
- Perinatal asphyxia did not elevate mortality risk in infants born to teenage mothers.
Conclusions:
- Birthweight is a critical factor influencing asphyxia-related infant mortality, with macrosomia posing a significant risk.
- While teenage pregnancy was not found to increase asphyxia risk, other factors warrant further investigation.
- These findings underscore the importance of monitoring birthweight and implementing strategies to mitigate perinatal asphyxia.
Abstract:
We present an epidemiological study of asphyxia-related infant mortality. Via linkage of birth and death certificates, infant mortality data were analyzed for all infants born in Israel from 1985 through 1988. During this period, there were 397,083 live births in Israel, and 4392 infants subsequently died within the first year of life (total infant death rate of 11.1/1000 live births). Of the deaths, 176 (4.0%) were associated with a diagnosis of perinatal asphyxia, resulting in an overall asphyxia-related infant mortality rate of 0.44/1000 live births. The percent of deaths attributable to asphyxia was calculated by birthweight, maternal age, and birth order and was compared with overall infant mortality rates analyzed for the same variables. Interesting results include the following: (1) Asphyxia-related mortality within the low birthweight group was proportional to overall birthweight-specific mortality for that group; (2) birthweight more than 4.5 kg disproportionately increased the risk of asphyxia-related mortality; and (3) perinatal asphyxia did not add to the risk of mortality subsequent to teenage pregnancy.