A Chiabi1, E Mah2, M-J Ntsama Essomba3, S Nguefack2, E Mbonda2, P-F Tchokoteu2. 1. Service de pédiatrie, hôpital gynéco-obstétrical et pédiatrique de Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroun; Département de pédiatrie, faculté de médecine et des sciences biomédicales, université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroun. Electronic address: andy_chiabi@yahoo.co.uk. 2. Service de pédiatrie, hôpital gynéco-obstétrical et pédiatrique de Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroun; Département de pédiatrie, faculté de médecine et des sciences biomédicales, université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroun. 3. Faculté de médecine et des sciences biomédicales, université de Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroun.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The rate of survival of very low birth weight neonates (less than 1500 g) is still low in most developing countries, such as Cameroon. The aim of this study was to assess the maternal and neonatal factors that can influence the survival of neonates with birth weights under 1500 g. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive, and analytic study of 397 neonates weighing less than 1500 g who were admitted to the Yaounde gynaeco-obstetric and pediatric hospital from May 2003 to December 2011. The chi-squared test and the odds ratio were used to identify risk factors for death. The threshold of significance was P<0.05. RESULTS: The overall survival rate was 26.5%. The main comorbidities were prematurity (99%), neonatal sepsis (36%), and intrauterine growth retardation (27.2%). The factors that statistically influenced outcome were: parity, birth weight, gestational age, the 5th-min Apgar score, advanced resuscitation at birth, and respiratory distress. CONCLUSION: The survival of neonates weighing less than 1500 g depends on several factors, which if acted upon could improve the survival rate.
OBJECTIVES: The rate of survival of very low birth weight neonates (less than 1500 g) is still low in most developing countries, such as Cameroon. The aim of this study was to assess the maternal and neonatal factors that can influence the survival of neonates with birth weights under 1500 g. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive, and analytic study of 397 neonates weighing less than 1500 g who were admitted to the Yaounde gynaeco-obstetric and pediatric hospital from May 2003 to December 2011. The chi-squared test and the odds ratio were used to identify risk factors for death. The threshold of significance was P<0.05. RESULTS: The overall survival rate was 26.5%. The main comorbidities were prematurity (99%), neonatal sepsis (36%), and intrauterine growth retardation (27.2%). The factors that statistically influenced outcome were: parity, birth weight, gestational age, the 5th-min Apgar score, advanced resuscitation at birth, and respiratory distress. CONCLUSION: The survival of neonates weighing less than 1500 g depends on several factors, which if acted upon could improve the survival rate.