Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess the liver function in healthy newborns and in severe birth asphyxiated babies and compare with the controls. It was also done to collect the information about severity of liver damage and their prognostic value.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was done in Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad involving 30 severely birth asphyxiated neonates and 11 full term normal neonates were taken as controls. Liver enzymes that is SGOT, SGPT, Alkaline phosphatase, and Serum Bilirubin were estimated in serum of neonates included in this study.

Results: SGOT, SGPT, Alkaline Phosphatase were significantly higher in neonates of study group as compared to neonates of control group. Among the asphyxiated newborns SGOT, SGPT, Alkaline Phosphatase were significantly raised in neonates who succumbed to asphyxia than those who survived. Levels of Serum Bilirubin were also raised in expired than who survived. Interpretation and conclusion: Severe birth asphyxia causes liver dysfunction. Approximately 76% of severely asphyxiated neonates suffered from deranged hepatic function. Enzyme derangement is significantly more in those neonates who succumbed to asphyxia than those who survived.