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Home / Equine Research Bank / Ir Vet J / Perinatal asphyxia syndrome in the foal: review and a case r...
Irish veterinary journal2004; 57(12); 707-714; doi: 10.1186/2046-0481-57-12-707

Perinatal asphyxia syndrome in the foal: review and a case report.

Abstract: : This report presented a brief overview of the literature on the perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS) in foals as a prelude to a description of the investigation and treatment of acute onset seizures in a 24-hour-old Thoroughbred colt foal.PAS can cause a wide variety of clinical abnormalities, of which seizures due to encephalopathy are the most significant. The structural and biochemical components of CNS neurones are disrupted by the shift from oxidative to anaerobic metabolism, with a resultant deficit in cellular energy. The cells succumb to the combined effects of acidosis, neurotoxic activities of glutamate, nitric oxide and free radicals, lipid peroxidation, accumulation of intracellular calcium and destructive overactivity of intracellular enzymes. Concurrently, the hypoxia affects other organ systems and management of foals presenting with CNS signs requires the veterinarian to undertake a thorough clinical examination and to institute appropriate therapy for the various derangements induced by the hypoxic-ischaemic episode. Diazepam (0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg bwt) can be used for short-term control of seizures; phenobarbital (2 to 10 mg/kg bwt) may be required for more prolonged treatment of recurrent seizures. The needs of the affected foal for nutrients, fluids and electrolytes, antimicrobial therapy and ancillary therapies were discussed in the literature review and illustrated in the case report.
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Publication Date: 2004-12-01 PubMed ID: 21851654PubMed Central: PMC3113818DOI: 10.1186/2046-0481-57-12-707Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research paper discusses the issue of perinatal asphyxia syndrome (PAS) in newborn foals, and its effects on their health, primarily focusing on seizure activity due to brain damage. The paper analyses a case study of a newborn Thoroughbred colt foal suffering from PAS and provides insight into its diagnosis, treatment and management.

Understanding Perinatal Asphyxia Syndrome

  • PAS in newborn foals can result in varied clinical abnormalities, with seizures due to brain damage (encephalopathy) as the most severe.
  • The biochemical components of central nervous system (CNS) neurons are disturbed by the shift from oxidative to anaerobic metabolism due to this, which results in energy deficiency in the cells.
  • This deficiency consequently leads to the cells failing due to a combination of factors: acidosis, neurotoxic activities of glutamate and nitric oxide, free radicals, lipid peroxidation, the buildup of intracellular calcium, and destructive overactivity of intracellular enzymes.

Effects on Multiple Organ Systems

  • Besides the CNS, the syndrome’s hypoxia also impacts other organ systems of the foal.
  • Clinical examination and appropriate therapy initiation to tackle the various disorders evoked by the hypoxic-ischemic event are vital steps.

Treatment Procedure for PAS

  • Seizure control can be achieved short-term by administering Diazepam at a dosage of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg body weight.
  • Longer-term and recurrent seizures may require Phenobarbital treatment, at a dosage of 2 to 10 mg/kg body weight.

Management of Affected Foals

  • The foal’s needs for nutrients, fluids, and electrolytes are crucial and should be attended to with care.
  • The implementation of antimicrobial therapy and supplementary therapies are also part of their healthcare needs.
  • These aspects were illustrated and discussed in-depth during the review of literature and the presented case report.

Cite This Article

APA
Galvin N, Collins D. (2004). Perinatal asphyxia syndrome in the foal: review and a case report. Ir Vet J, 57(12), 707-714. https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-0481-57-12-707

Publication

Irish veterinary journal
ISSN: 0368-0762
NlmUniqueID: 0100762
Country: Ireland
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 12
Pages: 707-714

Researcher Affiliations

Galvin, Noreen
  • Troytown Equine Hospital, Green Road, Kildare Town, Co Kildare, Ireland. galvinnoreen@eircom.net.
Collins, Donald

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 4 times.
    1. Mota-Rojas D, Villanueva-García D, Mota-Reyes A, Orihuela A, Hernández-Ávalos I, Domínguez-Oliva A, Casas-Alvarado A, Flores-Padilla K, Jacome-Romero J, Martínez-Burnes J. Meconium Aspiration Syndrome in Animal Models: Inflammatory Process, Apoptosis, and Surfactant Inactivation. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 27;12(23).
      doi: 10.3390/ani12233310pubmed: 36496831google scholar: lookup
    2. Ellero N, Lanci A, Baldassarro VA, Alastra G, Mariella J, Cescatti M, Castagnetti C, Giardino L. Study on NGF and VEGF during the Equine Perinatal Period-Part 2: Foals Affected by Neonatal Encephalopathy. Vet Sci 2022 Aug 26;9(9).
      doi: 10.3390/vetsci9090459pubmed: 36136675google scholar: lookup
    3. Kimura Y, Aoki T, Chiba A, Nambo Y. Effects of dystocia on blood gas parameters, acid-base balance and serum lactate concentration in heavy draft newborn foals. J Equine Sci 2017;28(1):27-30.
      doi: 10.1294/jes.28.27pubmed: 28400704google scholar: lookup
    4. Castelain DL, Dufourni A, Pas ML, Bokma J, de Bruijn E, Paulussen E, Lefère L, van Loon G, Pardon B. Retrospective cohort study on diseases and risk factors associated with death in hospitalized neonatal foals. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17269.
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