Acute Fetal Asphyxia: Sociodemographic, Clinical, Therapeutic And Prognostic Characteristics in The Maternity Ward of The Ignace Deen National Hospital of The University Hospital of Conakry

Abstract

DIALLO Abdourahmane, DIALLO Mamadou Hady, DIALLO Fatoumata Bamba, DIALLO Hadja Aminata, BALDE Ibrahima Sory, SY Telly and KEITA Namory

Introduction: Acute fetal asphyxia due to its high frequency and the seriousness of the complications it causes, still remains today a major concern for neonatal health. The objectives of this study were to describe the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and the management of the parturient concerned and to determine the immediate prognosis of the newborn.

Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive-type prospective cross-sectional study lasting 3 months from April 1 to June 30, 2022, carried out at the maternity ward of the Ignace Deen National Hospital of the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Conakry. Were included in the study, all parturient whose fetuses showed clinical signs of acute fetal asphyxia in the department during the study period. These were cases with meconium amniotic fluid associated with fetal bradycardia or tachycardia and all cases in which the Apgar score was less than 7/10 at birth.

Results: During the study period, we recorded 294 cases of acute fetal asphyxia (16 cases of twin pregnancies) in 278 parturient out of 1652 deliveries carried out in the department, i.e. a frequency of 17.7%. The average age of the parturient concerned was 26 ± 3.4 years. The unschooled (60.4%), married (83.8%) and those exercising a liberal profession (42.4%), nulliparous (49.6%) were the most numerous. Fetal bradycardia accounted for 81.2%. Amniotic fluid was stained in most cases (69.4%). In 100% of cases the Apgar score was less than 7 out of 10 at the first minute. There was inflation in the caesarean section rate (61.5%). In terms of therapeutic management, the clearing of the external airways (26.1%), ventilation with a manual insufflator for the supply of oxygen (24.4%) and external cardiac massage (28.23%) were the most frequently performed procedures.

Conclusion: acute fetal asphyxia is life-threatening for the newborn, improving the prognosis would necessarily go through better care conditioned by the improvement of emergency obstetric and neonatal care.

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