Impact of transient period of metabolic adaptation on perinatal asphyxia in neonates with intrauterine growth retardation

Abstract

Introduction: Temperature, glycemia and respiration make neonatal energy triangle (NET). In growth retardation (IUGR) neonates pathological metabolic adaptation exists in transient neonatal period.

Aim: The of this study was to examine the occurrence of pathological NET and check its impact on perinatal asphyxia during the transient period in IUGR neonates.

Material and methods: One hundred and fifty-nine neonates with IUGR were classified into – early preterm, late preterm and term neonates. By the presence of hypothermia, hypoglycemia and hypoxia in the first hour after birth neonates were classified into: group of pathological NET, group of unstable NET and group of stable NET. We analyzed distribution per body mass, gestational age, type of IUGR, gender and the frequency of perinatal asphyxia between the groups.

Results: The late preterm neonates were the most frequent in the group of pathological NET. Perinatal asphyxia was diagnosed in 52 (32.7%) neonates, with highest frequency in the group of pathological NET. Univariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that pathological NET in neonates with IUGR is significant predictor for perinatal asphyxia occurrence (OR = 8.57; CI = 4.05–18.12; p < 0.001 R² = 0.27).

Conclusion: Poor metabolic adaptation in neonates with IUGR in the first hour after birth is significant risk factor for the perinatal asphyxia.

Keywords:

• Fetal growth retardation
• neonatal energy triangle
• perinatal asphyxia

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.