E Nkwabong1, N Kamgnia Nounemi2, Z Sando3, R E Mbu4, J Mbede5. 1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Central Maternity/Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Electronic address: enkwabong@yahoo.fr. 2. Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Electronic address: nounemi.nathalie@gmail.com. 3. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé, Cameroon. 4. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Central Maternity/Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé, Cameroon. 5. Department of Paediatrics, University Teaching Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence, this condition should be well studied. The aims of this study were to identify the risk factors for term born LBW, as well as the placental histopathological lesions observed. METHODS: This case control study was carried out in the University Teaching Hospital and the Central Maternity, both of Yaoundé, Cameroon, from November 1st, 2013 to April 30th, 2014. Maternal medical records and placentas of term born (≥37 completed weeks) LBW (<2500 g at birth) or normal weight (3000-3500 g) were compared. The main variables recorded included maternal age and parity, maternal height, complications that occurred during pregnancy, maternal pre-gestational body mass index, the number of antenatal visits, the sex and birth weight of the newborn, the umbilical cord length, the placental weight and placental histology. Data were analyzed using Epi info 3.5.4. Fisher exact test, t-test and logistic regression were used for comparison. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: and DISCUSSION: A total of 30 cases of LBW and the same number of controls were examined. Significant risk factors for LBW were primiparity (aOR 14.0, 95%CI 2.1-92.7), hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (aOR 18.1, 95%CI 1.02-322.5) and <4 antenatal visits (aOR 9.5, 95%CI 1.3-67.5). Significant placental lesions were placental infarction (aOR 19.5, 95%CI 2.9-130.1) and chronic villitis (aOR 35.9, 95%CI 1.2-1034.3). Our study showed that primiparous women, those with pregnancy-induced hypertensive diseases and those with <4 antenatal visits were more at risk for LBW. Significant placental lesions observed among LBW were placental infarcts and chronic villitis. Since LBW has the tendency to recur, and given that some causes such as placental infarcts are preventable, we recommend that a histological examination of the placenta should always be carried out in cases of LBW.
INTRODUCTION: Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence, this condition should be well studied. The aims of this study were to identify the risk factors for term born LBW, as well as the placental histopathological lesions observed. METHODS: This case control study was carried out in the University Teaching Hospital and the Central Maternity, both of Yaoundé, Cameroon, from November 1st, 2013 to April 30th, 2014. Maternal medical records and placentas of term born (≥37 completed weeks) LBW (<2500 g at birth) or normal weight (3000-3500 g) were compared. The main variables recorded included maternal age and parity, maternal height, complications that occurred during pregnancy, maternal pre-gestational body mass index, the number of antenatal visits, the sex and birth weight of the newborn, the umbilical cord length, the placental weight and placental histology. Data were analyzed using Epi info 3.5.4. Fisher exact test, t-test and logistic regression were used for comparison. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: and DISCUSSION: A total of 30 cases of LBW and the same number of controls were examined. Significant risk factors for LBW were primiparity (aOR 14.0, 95%CI 2.1-92.7), hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (aOR 18.1, 95%CI 1.02-322.5) and <4 antenatal visits (aOR 9.5, 95%CI 1.3-67.5). Significant placental lesions were placental infarction (aOR 19.5, 95%CI 2.9-130.1) and chronic villitis (aOR 35.9, 95%CI 1.2-1034.3). Our study showed that primiparous women, those with pregnancy-induced hypertensive diseases and those with <4 antenatal visits were more at risk for LBW. Significant placental lesions observed among LBW were placental infarcts and chronic villitis. Since LBW has the tendency to recur, and given that some causes such as placental infarcts are preventable, we recommend that a histological examination of the placenta should always be carried out in cases of LBW.
Authors: Yolisa Prudence Dube; Newton Nyapwere; Laura A Magee; Marianne Vidler; Sophie E Moore; Benjamin Barratt; Rachel Craik; Peter von Dadelszen; Prestige Tatenda Makanga Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-07-28 Impact factor: 3.390