Abstract

Aim: Neonatal and perinatal mortality and morbidity rates are high in our country. Quick and appropriate approach after birth may save the newborn from hypoxic injury and lower early neonatal deaths. In this study, our aim was to find out the frequency of resuscitation procedures carried out in the delivery room and the accompanying risk factors for resuscitation. Methods: Live born infants were investigated with respect to initial medical approaches in delivery room, type of resuscitation procedure, accompanying risk factors and clinical follow up, between April 2002 and September 2002. Positive pressure ventilation with mask, endotracheal tube intubatian and administering intravenous drugs were considered as resuscitation procedures. Newborns were followed up either "alongside the mother", "observed in incubator for 1-4 hours" or "transferred" to neonatal intensive care unit when necessary according to the clinical outcome. Results: 5.46% (n=62) of the 1134 live born infants were resuscitated. The most comman resuscitation procedure was positive pressure ventilation with mask (87%). Risk factors were seen in 77.7% (n=47) of the resuscitated newborns. Prematurity, in uterine growth retardation, fetal distress, fetal anomaly, multiple gestation, nuchal cord, ablatio placenta, premature rupture of membranes, preeelampsia, eelampsia, delayed labor were determined as risk factors and there were a significant correlation between resuscitation procedures and these risk factors. Conclusion: The frequency of resuscitation procedure was found to be 5.46%. Most frequently applied procedure was tactile stimulation and aspiration. It was concluded that determination of accompanying risk factors correctly with an appropriate antenatal follow up, and supplying the optimum conditions for delivery would lessen the neonatal mortality and morbidity.