Neonatal respiratory distress in a reference neonatology unit in Cameroon: a retrospective analysis of prevalence, predictors, etiologies and outcomes

Abstract

IntroductionNeonatal respiratory distress (NRD) is a main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Early detection of its risk factors and early treatment of its etiologies are major challenges. However, few studies in developing countries have provided data needed to tackle it. We aimed to determine the prevalence, predictors, etiologies and outcome of NRD in a tertiary health care centre of Cameroon.MethodsWe analyzed the hospital files of all newborns admitted to the Neonatal unit of Douala General Hospital from 1st January 2011 to 28th February 2013. NRD was diagnosed based on the presence of one or more of the following signs: an abnormal respiratory rate, expiratory grunting, nasal flaring, chest wall recessions and thoraco-abdominal asynchrony with or without cyanosis, in their files. Socio-demographic and clinical variables of newborns and their mothers were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe prevalence of NRD was 47.5% out of the 703 newborns studied. Acute fetal distress, elective caesarean delivery, APGAR score < 7 at the 1st minute, prematurity, male gender and macrosomia were independent predictors of NRD. The main etiologies were neonatal infections (31%) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (25%). Its neonatal mortality rate was 24.5%, mainly associated with neonatal sepsis and hyaline membrane disease.ConclusionNRD is a frequent emergency and causes high morbidity and mortality. Most of its risk factors and etiologies are preventable. Adequate follow-up of pregnancy and labor for timely intervention may improve the neonatal outcomes.

Risk Factors of Respiratory Diseases Among Neonates in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Qena University Hospital, Egypt

“…The total cases admitted to our NICU during one year study were 312 cases; of them 145 cases were admitted due to respiratory diseases giving an incidence of (46.5%). This was relatively comparable to the incidence reported by other studies like Verma et al, (39%) and Tochie et al, (47.5%) [11,12]. The present study showed that neonatal respiratory diseases were higher in males (55.9%) than females (44.1%).…”

Incidence of respiratory distress and its predictors among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, Black Lion Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…Additionally, sample size, study design, and population socio-demographic characteristics may also lead to the differences observed between studies. Interestingly, the prevalence of RD found in this study was lower than studies from Saudi Arabia (54.7%) [8], Cameroon (47.5%) [7], and Poland (54.29%) [29]. These differences may reflect the quality/qualifications of staff, public awareness to attended births, and cultural beliefs.…”

Respiratory distress in Full and Post term neonates: Prevalence, Etiologies and Outcomes in a Tertiary Health Center in Yaoundé

“…However, in parallel the increasing rate of caesarian section has led to more recorded cases of RD in full-term neonates [6]. In Cameroon, the General Hospital-Douala team, JN Tochie et al in 2016, reported that RD represented the main cause of neonatal admission (47.5%) in the NCU [7]. Elsewhere, in Nepal, RD contributed a third of NCU admissions, an incidence of around 4% [8].…”