Coagulation Disorders in Neonates with Birth Asphyxia at a Secondary Referral Hospital in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria

This study investigates coagulation disorders in neonates with birth asphyxia at the General Hospital Bauchi, Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. Birth asphyxia causes ischaemia-reperfusion injury affecting multiple organ systems including the haematological system, leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in severe cases. A prospective case-control study enrolled 60 neonates with birth asphyxia classified by Sarnat staging and 40 healthy neonates as controls within 24 hours of delivery. Coagulation parameters including prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and platelet count were assessed. Results demonstrated significantly prolonged PT and APTT, elevated D-dimer, reduced fibrinogen, and thrombocytopenia in asphyxiated neonates compared to controls. The severity of coagulation derangement correlated with Sarnat grade, with grade III neonates showing the most severe coagulopathy and meeting DIC criteria in 53 percent of cases. Mortality was significantly higher among neonates with DIC compared to those without. Early identification of coagulation disorders through routine coagulation testing in all asphyxiated neonates is recommended at General Hospital Bauchi, alongside fresh frozen plasma and platelet transfusion protocols for DIC management to improve neonatal survival outcomes in the North East zone. Keywords: birth asphyxia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, neonate, coagulopathy, Bauchi State.