A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF SERUM ELECTROLYTES (SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM) AND GLUCOSE LEVELS IN BIRTH ASPHYXIATED NEWBORNS AND CORRELATION WITH APGAR SCORE AT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE INDORE.

Abstract

Aim of present study is to study of serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium) and glucose levels in birth asphyxiated newborns and correlation with apgar score, the study was conducted on 100 asphyxiated term neonates delivered at index medical college hospital. Venous blood sample was drawn in NICU and sent for analysis of serum sodium, potassium, calcium, serum glucose within one hour and 24 hours of birth.

The result is significant at p  < 0.05. There is significant decrease in serum calcium level in asphyxiated newborns and this decrease is directly proportional to the degree of birth asphyxia and linear correlation with APGAR score. A total of 100 asphyxiated cases, 62 (62%) cases developed hypocalcemia and 38% have normal calcium level. In this study lower blood glucose levels are seen amongst asphyxiated newborns and are directly proportional to low APGAR score and severity of birth asphyxia. A total of 100 asphyxiated cases,61% developed hypoglycemia. . The chi-square statistic is 19.5358. The  p value is 0.000212. The chi-square statistic is 72.4565. The p-value is < 0.00001. The result is significant at p < .05.

We conclude that the electrolytes and glucose levels in a newborn were in linear correlation with APGAR score and increase or decrease in studied parameters correlates with the severity of birth asphyxia. Our studies reinforce that asphyxiated newborns with abnormal levels of blood glucose or electrolytes require medical intervention immediately after birth. An adequate clinical evaluation and biochemical monitoring are urgently required for early diagnosis and proper management to prevent adverse neurological outcome and to improve long term prognosis with birth asphyxia.

- Finally our study has given a unique opportunity to correlate with the previous studies and a better understanding of the neonates with neonatal asphyxia.

Keywords: serum, electrolytes, asphyxiated, glucose & newborns.