Comparison of Serum Calcium Level Among Patients with Different Stages of Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy Due to Perinatal Asphyxia

Background:
Perinatal asphyxia is a leading cause of neonatal hospital admission,
particularly in low- and middle-income countries. It causes diminished
oxygen supply to brain resulting hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy
with three distinct stages. Higher HIE grades have been associated with
reduced calcium levels. This emergency condition can lead to
multi-organ dysfunction and can affect the neonatal calcium profile
causing mainly hypocalcemia.
Objective:
To compare the serum calcium level among different stages of Hypoxic
ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in perinatal asphyxia
Methods:
This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in department
of Paediatrics, Rangpur medical college hospital on 212 neonates with
perinatal asphyxia with different stages of HIE.
Results:
Among 212 neonates birth asphyxia was predominant in male (56.5%).
Birth asphyxia was predominant in vaginal delivery (64%). Majority of
the neonates were in HIE stage II (58.5%) followed by stage III (21.7%)
and stage I (19.8%). Serum calcium level was significantly lower in
stage III to stage-II HIE (5.1±1.66 vs 6.1±1.1.54, p-value=0.0003) and
stage II to stage-I (6.1±1.1.54 vs 7.2±1.35, p-value=.0003).
Conclusion:
Serum calcium level tends to decrease in asphyxiated neonate which is
most subjacent in HIE stage III.