Frequency and immediate neonatal prognosis of low birth weight neonates in Parakou (Benin) in 2018
- Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatal Care
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Noudamadjo A, Agbeille Mohamed F, Voduhè MV, Kpanidja MG, Amoussou OB, Adédémy JD, Agossou J
Abstract
Introduction: Infant and child mortality remains high in Benin and is sustained by neonatal mortality which has stagnated for decades. Low birth weight (LBW) is recognized to be an important risk factor for neonatal death worldwide and serves as an indicator of perinatal death.
Objective: The objective is to establish the relationship between LBW and immediate
neonatal prognosis in the city of Parakou (Benin).
Patients and methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a descriptive and analytical
aim. A prospective collection of data on neonates born from pregnancies with a gestational
age of at least 22 weeks of amenorrhea was carried out. It was conducted in three health
structures drawn randomly from ten structures in the city of Parakou from May 15 to July
14, 2018. The study included all live neonates. The recruitment of neonates was subject
to an oral informed consent of their mothers. We excluded from this study any malformed
neonate, any neonate who died in utero and any neonate born from a multiple pregnancy.
The data collected were processed and analyzed using Epi Data 3.1, Microsoft Excel 2007
and Epi Info version 7.1.5.0 software. Statistical inferences (Chi-Square test, Person test,
Yates correction, Ficher’s exact test and their confidence intervals) were used to check the
level of association between LBW and morbid situations and then immediate mortality. The
research protocol was submitted to the local ethics committee of the University of Parakou
and obtained its approval under the reference 0121/CLERB-UP/P/SP/R/SA of May 5, 2018.
Results: The frequency of LBW was 16.9%. LBW was associated with poor adaptation to
extrauterine life (p=0.000), neonatal resuscitation (p=0.000) and early neonatal mortality
(p=0.000). Birth weight in neonates with LBW was inversely related to the risk of death
within 24 hours of life.
Conclusion: One in six neonates had LBW in the city of Parakou in 2018. LBW at birth
was a state at risk of neonatal resuscitation and early death. Reducing neonatal mortality
requires preventing low birth weight.
Keywords
low birth weight, immediate neonatal prognosis, Benin
