Farin Soleimani , Hossein Sourtiji ,
Volume 67, Issue 6 (9-2009)
Abstract
Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of nonprogressive motor impairment syndromes with potentially different risk factors and causal pathways which is caused by damage in the very young brain. The etiology of CP is mostly unknown and the prevalence has not decreased in comparison to past decades, although many advances have occurred in obstetric and neonatal care. In fact, it seems that the prevalence might have even increased in term infants. The aim of this study was the evaluation of cerebral palsy risk factors in Iran to compare them with other countries.
Methods: In this case-control study, all one to six years old children who were referred to a rehabilitation center from Shahid Beheshti child-health-care centers during the years 2007–2008, with documented cerebral palsy for evaluation of perinatal and neonatal risk factors were enrolled in the study, with matched controls.
Results: 112 in the case and 113 in the control group were studied. The main factors associated with CP, were: preterm delivery, neonatal and postnatal seizures, Apgar score of zero to three at twentieth minute after birth, low birth weight, and multiple gestations. The majority of infants with CP were born at term and only 37.8% before 37 weeks.
Conclusions: Preterm birth, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and low birth weight were the independent predictors of CP in this population.
Amir Kamal Hardani , Firouzeh Nili , Mamak Shariat , Fatemeh Nayeri , Hosein Dalili ,
Volume 72, Issue 10 (1-2015)
Abstract
Background: Respecting gestational age and medical intervention at birth, Combined Apgar score, a new method proposed by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) may better evaluate neonatal condition at birth compared with conventional Apgar score. The combined Apgar consists of the Specified and the Expanded Apgar describe a more detailed condition at birth. In Expanded Apgar, administered intervention and in Specified Apgar, infant`s condition regardelless of gestational age and intervention are emphesised. To evaluate combined Apgar score in perinatal asphyxia, we compared conventional versus Combined Apgar scores to anticipated neonatal asphyxial complications.
Methods: In a prospective cohort study, we assessed 464 neonates admitted in, Vali-e-Asr University Hospital, during one year from September 2012 to September 2013. We assessed neonates by Conventional and Combined Apgar scoring at 1, 5 and 10 minutes after birth. Asphyxia was recognized based on newborn`s records. Diagnostic criteria for asphyxia include, occurrence of metabolic or mixed acidosis, apgar score less than three in 5th minute, occurrence of neurological complications like seizure, hypotonia, coma and multiple organ failure. Then we used SPSS V16 for data analysis and compare sensitivity between two methods of Apgar scoring.
Results: From 2200 delivered neonates, we assessed 464 neonates. 9.3% of studied neonates had Asphyxia, which equals 2% of live births. The Apgar score was lower in asphyxiated neonates by both methods (6±1 vs. 9±1 according to conventional method and 9±1 vs. 16±1 scored in combined method). Combined method was more sensitive than the Conventional Apgar scoring (99% vs. 88%).
Conclusion: In asphyxiated neonates sensitivity and specificity of combined apgar were more than conventional apgar. With respect to this study, better assessment could be achieved by combined apgar score method instead of conventional Apgar.
