Journal List > Perinatology > v.30(2) > 1138598

Chang, Hong, Hwang, Song, and Choi: Neurodevelopmental Outcome of Severe Acidemic Term Infants

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the perinatal factors associated with neonatal mortality and neurologic morbidity in term infants with severe acidosis.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of term infants with severe acidosis from January 2012 to December 2016. Severe acidosis was defined as initial pH of less than <7.0 and base excess ≥-12 mmol/L. We searched the clinical characteristics, morbidities of mother and infants, and neuroimaging results. Also infants were divided by neurodevelopmental impairment and evaluated the relating perinatal factors.

Results

Twenty three term infants had severe acidosis. Meconium stained amniotic fluid was found in 43.5% and neonatal resuscitation with positive pressure ventilation and endotracheal intubation was needed in 43.5% and 26.1%. Among 8 infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), stage 2 or higher were 87.5%. Four infants (17.4%) showed abnormal brain imaging taken before discharge. On the analysis, the longer duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (P=0.049) and increased need for gavage feeding (P=0.021) were found in neurodevelopment impairment group.

Conclusion

The presence of HIE and abnormal findings of brain imaging before discharge were found to be associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome in term infants with severe acidosis. Even if the brain imaging test was normal, we should consider the long-term follow-up of severe acidemic term infants.

References

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Table 1.
Demographic Characteristics of Severe Acidemic Term Infants by Neurodevelopmental Impairment
  Total (n=23) Abnormal (n=5) Normal (n=17) P-value
Gestational age (week) 38.6±1.2 38.6±1.2 38.6±1.3 0.989
Birth weight (g) 3,082.2±425.6 3,168.0±300.5 3,024.1±448.4 0.493
SGA 1 (4.3) 0 (0) 1 (5.9) 1.000
Male 12 (52.2) 2 (40.0) 9 (52.9) 0.613
Multiple gestation 2 (8.7) 1 (20.0) 1 (5.9) 0.362
Apgar score        
1 minute 5.1±2.7 4.0±2.2 5.4±2.8 0.359
5 minutes 6.3±2.6 6.4±1.5 6.2±3.0 0.901
Resuscitation        
Oxygen uses 19 (82.6) 4 (80.0) 14 (82.4) 0.905
PPV 10 (43.5) 2 (40.0) 8 (47.1) 0.781
Intubation 6 (26.1) 2 (40.0) 4 (23.5) 0.473
Cardiac compression 1 (4.3) 0 (0) 1 (5.9) 1.000
Transport time to NICU (minutes) 7.9±4.4 8.6±1.5 7.9±5.0 0.744
Hypothermia at admission        
Cold stress 4 (17.4) 0 (0) 4 (23.5) 0.999
Initial pH 6.9±0.1(6.722–6.995) 6.9±0.1 (6.722–6.942) 6.9±0.1 (6.728–6.995) 0.188
Initial BE (mmol/L) –17.5±4.1 –19.4±5.3 –17.1±3.8 0.270

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation or number (%).

Abbreviations: SGA, small for gestational age; PPV, positive pressure ventilation; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; BE, base excess.

Table 2.
Maternal Characteristics of Severe Acidemic Term Infants by Neurodevelopmental Impairment
  Total (n=23) Abnormal (n=5) Normal (n=17) P-value
Age (years) 32.0±4.0 31.4±3.8 32.0±4.1 0.761
2) Obesity (pregravid BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 (8.7) 1 (20.0) 1 (5.9) 0.362
Nulliparous 19 (82.6) 4 (80.0) 14 (82.4) 0.905
Cesarean section 4 (17.4) 1 (20.0) 3 (17.6) 0.905
Oligohydramnios 3 (13.0) 1 (20.0) 2 (11.8) 0.641
Gestational diabetes 5 (21.7) 0 (0) 4 (23.5) 0.999
Preeclampsia/eclampsia 7 (30.4) 2 (40.0) 5 (29.4) 0.656
Fetal distress 4 (17.4) 1 (20.0) 3 (17.6) 0.905
MSAF 10 (43.5) 3 (60.0) 7 (41.2) 0.463
Histologic chorioamnionitis 2 (8.7) 0 (0) 2 (11.8) 0.999
Placental infarction 9 (39.1) 3 (60.0) 6 (35.3) 0.999

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation or number (%). Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; MSAF, meconium stained amniotic fluid.

Table 3.
Neonatal Morbidities by Neurodevelopmental Impairment
  Total (n=23) Abnormal (n=5) Normal (n=17) P-value
Use of surfactant 1 (4.3) 1 (20.0) 0 (0) 1.000
Invasive ventilation on 1st day 10 (43.5) 3 (60.0) 7 (41.2) 0.463
HIE 8 (34.8) 3 (60.0) 5 (29.4) 0.225
Stage 1 1 (12.5) 0 (0) 1 (20.0) 1.000
Stage 2 6 (75.0) 2 (66.7) 4 (80.0) 0.473
Stage 3 1 (12.5) 1 (33.3) 0 (0) 1.000
Mechanical ventilation (day) 1.2±1.8 3.0±3.0 0.7±1.0 0.049
Need for tube feeding 4 (17.4) 3 (60.0) 1 (5.9) 0.021
Tube feeding until discharge 2 (8.7) 1 (20.0) 1 (5.9) 0.362
Duration of hospital stay (day) 10.3±8.6 18.0±13.1 8.1±5.2 0.067

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation or number (%). Abbreviation: HIE, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

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