Hematological parameters as predictors of short-term outcomes in perinatal birth asphyxia in term neonates: a prospective case-control study

Vollständiger Abstract

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Background: Perinatal asphyxia is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. Haematological changes, particularly in nucleated red blood cell (nRBC) counts, may offer early diagnostic and prognostic insights. Objective: To estimate and compare haematological parameters in term neonates with and without birth asphyxia and to evaluate their association with short-term outcomes, including hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Methods: A hospital-based prospective observational case-control study was conducted among 170 term neonates, comprising 85 neonates with birth asphyxia and 85 healthy controls. Haematological parameters including haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelet count, total leukocyte count, absolute nRBC count and nRBCs/100 white blood cells (WBCs) were analysed within six hours of birth. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test, Chi-square test and ANOVA, with p