QUALITY OF SURVIVAL AFTER SEVERE BIRTH ASPHYXIA

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Abstract
Children [31] who survived severe birth asphyxia defined by a 1-min Apgar score of 0, or a 5-min Apgar score of < 4, were seen at age 5-10 yr for neurological and psychological assessment. Their progress was compared with that of controls matched for sex, birthweight, gestational age and social class; 29 (93%) of the 31 asphyxiated group and all the controls had no serious neurological or mental handicap. Two were severly disabled and mentally retarded. Detailed studies of psychological function showed no significant differences between the 2 groups. Two apparently stillborn infants made normal progress. It was not possible to identify any perinatal factor which predicted the occurrence of serious handicap with certainty. The quality of life enjoyed by the large majority of the survivors was such as to justify a positive approach to the resuscitation of very severely asphyxiated neonates.

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