NEONATAL MORTALITY OF LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT BABIES IN NORTH AFRICA
NORIA HARIR *
Department of Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Proteomics and Health, Djillali Liabes University of Sidi bel Abbes, Algeria
SARAH OURRAD
Department of Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Proteomics and Health, Djillali Liabes University of Sidi bel Abbes, Algeria
FERIEL SELLAM
Department of Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, Proteomics and Health, Djillali Liabes University of Sidi bel Abbes, Algeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: Determining the impact of low-birth-weight (LBW) on neonatal mortality rate of babies from North Africa.
Methods: We performed a retrospective descriptive analytical study of all neonatal LBW dead babies over the period January 2011- December 2012 at the neonatology department of Sidi Bel Abbes, Western Algeria.
Results: 1242 low birth weight babies were admitted to the nursery, of these there were 229 deaths at a frequency of 18%. The causes of the neonatal mortality was multifactorial, with the help of our statistical analysis we found the following odds: the young maternal age (OR = 2.6; IC 95% (0.2-2.83); p = 0.001); primiparity (OR = 8.2; IC 95% (2.56-12.5); p = 0.001); close spacing of pregnancies less than 12 months (OR = 5.2; IC 95% (1.69-7.18); p = 0.001), genital infection (OR = 1.3; IC 95% (1-2.59); p = 0.001); eclampsia (OR = 4.6; IC 95% (2.01-5.71); p = 0.001); prematurity (OR = 4.8; IC 95% (1.9-6.8); p = 0.001); low birth weight <2500 grams (OR = 5.58; IC 95% (2.46-6.89); p = 0.001); septicemia (OR = 5.8; IC 95% (1.2-7.1); p = 0.001), asphyxia (OR = 2.56; IC 95 % (0.95-3.1); p = 0.001), Icterus (OR = 2.56; IC 95% (0.95-3.10; p = 0.001) and the lower Apgar score (OR = 6.25; IC 95% (1.23- 8.56; p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Intensive care facilities for maternal health and preterm LBW neonates will substantially improves the neonatal forecast.
Keywords: Neonatal mortality, low-birth-weight, babies, North Africa