Abstract
A case-control study was carried out in Panomsarakham Hospital, Chachoengsao Province
from October 1, 2001 to September 30, 2006 to determine the risk factors associated with birth
asphyxia. The study group comprised 107 women who delivered asphyxiated neonates (1-minute
Apgar score ≤ 7); the control groups comprised 107 mothers who delivered non-asphyxiated neo-
nates (1-minute Apgar score >7). The control group was selected by systematic sampling. The data
were analyzed by univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses, which revealed the following
significant risk factors prevalent for asphyxiated newborns: thick meconium-stained amniotic fluid
(OR 8.82; 95% CI: 1.35-57.45), drug-induced labor (OR 8.63; 95% CI: 2.80-26.63), vacuum
extraction (OR 4.66; 95% CI: 1.28-16.90), and dystocia (OR 4.43; 95% CI: 1.33-14.78). In
recognizing that the most common risk factors in birth asphyxia are antepartum and intrapartum
incidents, early recognition of these factors followed by prompt and appropriate management would
reduce the incidence of birth asphyxia.
Key words: risk factors, birth asphyxi
