biostudies-literatureUnknown5(12)Ngongo NNBirth asphyxia remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality in low-resource settings, with Zambia reporting a rate of 24 deaths per 1,000 live births. Birth asphyxia accounts for over 20% of neonatal ICU admissions. This study aimed to determine its prevalence and risk factors to inform targeted interventions. We conducted a secondary data analysis of medical records at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital, Zambia, including 497 maternal-neonatal records of deliveries between 15 July 2024 and 31 March 2025. Data were abstracted from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 1 and 20 April 2025 using REDCap. The primary outcome was birth asphyxia, defined as failure to establish spontaneous respiration with Apgar ≤5 at 5 minutes or hypoxic-ischePLOS global public healthe0004757https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12707660biostudies-literaturePrevalence and risk factors of birth asphyxia at Livingstone University teaching hospital.PMC12707660Chishala NChimba MKacha SSichamba PSiakabanze CMweene BCMutengo KHRiwo EOSimutowe KKurehwatira KRSiame LBaines SMPovia JPChibeka MDHatwiko HLuwaya ELChakulya MMasenga SKMulambo PNgongo NNfalsePrevalence and risk factors of birth asphyxia at Livingstone University teaching hospital.Birth asphyxia remains a leading cause of neonatal mortality in low-resource settings, with Zambia reporting a rate of 24 deaths per 1,000 live births. Birth asphyxia accounts for over 20% of neonatal ICU admissions. This study aimed to determine its prevalence and risk factors to inform targeted interventions. We conducted a secondary data analysis of medical records at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital, Zambia, including 497 maternal-neonatal records of deliveries between 15 July 2024 and 31 March 2025. Data were abstracted from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 1 and 20 April 2025 using REDCap. The primary outcome was birth asphyxia, defined as failure to establish spontaneous respiration with Apgar ≤5 at 5 minutes or hypoxic-ische2025-01-01T00:00:00Z20252026-06-07T05:19:52.82Z2026-06-07T03:06:56.605ZS-EPMC127076604140115010.1371/journal.pgph.0004757