Birthweight and neonatal outcome at the Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

A prospective study of neonatal morbidity and mortality was made over four months in 1990 at the neonatal unit in Muhimbili Medical Centre. The incidence of low birthweight (LBW) was 16%. Seven hundred and eighty four LBW infants and 612 heavier infants admitted for care in the unit were followed up...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inEast African medical journal Vol. 75; no. 7; p. 382
Main Authors Manji, K P, Massawe, A W, Mgone, J M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Kenya 01.07.1998
Subjects
Academic Medical Centers
Adolescent
Adult
Birth Weight
Case-Control Studies
Follow-Up Studies
Gestational Age
Humans
Incidence
Infant Mortality
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Morbidity
Risk Factors
Tanzania - epidemiology
Tanzania
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:A prospective study of neonatal morbidity and mortality was made over four months in 1990 at the neonatal unit in Muhimbili Medical Centre. The incidence of low birthweight (LBW) was 16%. Seven hundred and eighty four LBW infants and 612 heavier infants admitted for care in the unit were followed up for six weeks. The mean birth weight was 2854 grams. LBW carried a seven-fold increased risk of mortality (291/784;37%); this was 64% (291/341) of the total. The risk of morbidity in LBW infants was increased three-fold (436/784;56%) being 73% (436/598) of the total. Factors significantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality were prematurity, birth asphyxia, sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, hypothermia and hypoglycaemia. The majority of the deaths (83%) occurred within the first week of life.
ISSN:0012-835X