ISSN 2326-7283
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 7 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Coagulation profile in term of Nigerian infants with birth asphyxia
S. A. Adegoke1*, A. A. Oyekunle2, T. Oduola3 and O. J. Adebami4
1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, P.O. Box 5528, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
2Department of Haematology and Immunology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
3Department of Haematology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
4Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo, Nigeria.
Accepted 16 February, 2019
Abstract
Birth asphyxia may predispose to haemostatic failure.The objective of this study was to evaluate coagulation profile of babies with birth asphyxia and correlate these values with their clinical characteristics. Clinico-laboratory characteristics and coagulation profiles of 41 consecutive full term babies who had birth asphyxia were evaluated. Their coagulation profiles were compared to another 41 suitably-matched controls. The mean prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and clotting time were significantly higher among cases than the controls [18.4 ± 3.6 s; 54.4 ± 2.3 s; 12.4 ± 0.9 s and 11.2 ± 1.7 min, respectively compared to 11.5 ± 3.9 s; 50.2 ± 6.1 s; 9.1 ± 1.8 s and 6.9 ± 0.3min (p =0.001)]. The mean platelet count of the cases was however lower, that is, 130.5 ± 37.9 x103/µl vs. 167.8 ± 22.3 x103/µl respectively, p = 0.001. Among babies with asphyxia, coagulation parameters were prolonged in those with hypothermia or erythrocytosis (p < 0.001). Dyscoagulation and or haemostatic failure should be considered in all asphyxiated babies especially those with hypothermia and or erythrocytosis. This is important for appropriate anticipatory care such as transfusion of fresh frozen plasma to maintain their coagulation status.
Key words: Birth asphyxia, coagulation tests, newborn, Nigerian.