Authors: Ly F, Keita Y, Niang B, Dia A, Diouf AA, Cissè DF, Diallo M, Sakho Kane A, Sarr FN, Diouf A, Ndiaye O.
Introduction: Prematurity remains a real public health problem in developing countries due to limited means of care. The aim of this study was to study the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of preterm infants admitted to neonatology at the Pikine National Hospital Center (CHNP).
Material and Method: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted within the NEONATAL UNIT OF THE CHNP. It took place over a period of five (5) years from April2014 to December 2018.
Results: The prevalence of prematurity was 13.47% with male predominance. The average age of mothers was 27.79 ±6.82 years. The average number of NPCs achieved was 3. Antenatal corticosteroid therapy was administered to 44 mothers. The pathologies most encountered during pregnancy were vasculorenal syndromes (63.89%) and multiple pregnancies (36.11%). The notion of UGI was noted in 12.03% of mothers. The notion of PMR was present in 32.6% of mothers. Half of the premature infants (62.73%) were admitted to the ward at less than 6 hours of life. The 1000-1500g category was the most represented (36.76%) as well as moderate prematurity (GA between 33 to 36 SA + 6d) i.e., 57.22% of cases. The main reasons for transfer were the management of prematurity in 88.10% of cases and respiratory distress in 28.57% of cases. Respiratory disorders were the most frequently reported clinical signs. Clinical diagnoses at admission were dominated by maternal-fetal infection (66.84%), hyaline membrane disease (25.13%) and perinatal asphyxia (10.96%). The average length of hospitalization was 13.90 ±10.60 and complications were found in 14.97% of cases. We noted a mortality of 29.41%. Factors associated with mortality were a number of (<0.001), a low APGAR score at M1 and/or M5 (p<0.001), low birth weight (p=0.000), high prematurity (p<0.001) and the occurrence of complications (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Our results attest that prematurity remain a real public health problem with a high prevalence and mortality in hospitals such as Pikine's CHN. Efforts should be made to improve the prognosis of preterm infants.