We present an epidemiological study of asphyxia-related infant mortali
ty. Via linkage of birth and death certificates, infant mortality data
were analyzed for all infants born in Israel from 1985 through 1988.
During this period, there were 397,083 live births in Israel, and 4392
infants subsequently died within the first year of life (total infant
death rate of 11.1/1000 live births). Of the deaths, 176 (4.0%) were
associated with a diagnosis of perinatal asphyxia, resulting in an ove
rall asphyxia-related infant mortality rate of 0.44/1000 live births.
The percent of deaths attributable to asphyxia was calculated by birth
weight, maternal age, and birth order and was compared with overall in
fant mortality rates analyzed for the same variables. Interesting resu
lts include the following: (1) Asphyxia-related mortality within the l
ow birthweight group was proportional to overall birthweight-specific
mortality for that group; (2) birthweight more than 4.5 kg disproporti
onately increased the risk of asphyxia-related mortality; and (3) peri
natal asphyxia did not add to the risk of mortality subsequent to teen
age pregnancy.