Neonatal Respiratory Distress in a Poor Resource Setting: From Epidemiology to Outcome
Kisito Nagalo *
Neonatology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Laure Toguyeni
Neonatology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Sonia Douamba
Neonatology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Hamidou Savadogo
Medical Emergencies Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Naïma Sina
UFR.SDS, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Aïssatou Bélemviré
Neonatology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Myriam Sanwidi
Neonatology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Balkissa Konaté
Neonatology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Carine Kyélem
Neonatology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Diarra Yé
Neonatology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Neonatal respiratory distress one of the main causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. It is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency whose etiology is dominated by respiratory pathologies.
Objective: To study the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, and outcomes aspects of neonatal respiratory distress in order to help reduce its impact on neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study covering the period from 1st January 2017 to 31 December 2018 was conducted in the Neonatology Unit of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (West Africa). The clinical records of newborns admitted for respiratory distress (n=305) were included in the study. Results: Over the two-year period, the frequency of neonatal respiratory distress was 39.1% (305/780). Factors of respiratory distress were early neonatal period (80%), male sex (60.7%), full-term birth (82.3%), and normal birth weight (66.3%). The Silverman and Andersen score was mild (20.4%), moderate (68.5%), and severe (11.1%). The main causes of respiratory distress were neonatal septicemic infection (59.3%) and perinatal asphyxia (30.5%). Treatment mainly includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance, and oxygen therapy. There were 83 deaths, giving a case-fatality rate of 27.2%. Major causes of death were sepsis (13.1%) and perinatal asphyxia (9.8%).
Conclusion: Neonatal respiratory distress is common in our neonatal unit. In order to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality linked to this condition, action must be taken to combat neonatal sepsis, perinatal asphyxia, and preterm birth.
Keywords: Newborn, hyaline membrane disease, transient tachypnea of the newborn, meconium aspiration syndrome, congenital malformations