Perinatal deaths and low birthweight in an urban health centre in the Gambia: A prospective cohort study

Susan P . Laing, John M Guzek, Isatou Sey Ceesay, Karin Remmelzwaal, Henry Graham Rack, James M O N’Dow

Abstract

Perinatal deaths (stillbirths after 28 weeks gestation and early neonatal deaths) are rarely reported separately but are the deaths most closely associated with complications during pregnancy, birth and the first days of life.   We conducted a prospective cohort study to report perinatal deaths, late neonatal deaths and low birthweight babies as they occur.  This cohort of birth outcomes from The Gambia was conducted between 2012 and 2016 and followed 1611 women attending a government-supported health center from the first antenatal visit to 28 days post-delivery.  The outcome of the pregnancy was known for 1372 women (85.2%) and included 20 stillbirths and 12 early neonatal deaths. Of 1252 singleton babies with known birthweight 85 weighed less than 2500g (6.8%).  Using multivariate analysis it was shown that women who attended the antenatal clinic four times or more were less likely to have a low birthweight baby than women who attended less than four times, OR 0.47 (95% CI:0.273-0.799).  We conclude that frequent visits to the antenatal clinic are associated with better outcomes. (Afr J Reprod Health 2022; 26[3]: 20-28).

Full Text:

PDF

References

UN inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation Report 2017. Levels and trends in child mortality.

Ref A/RES/70/1: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sept 25, 2015

Lawn JE, Cousens S and Zupan J; Lancet Neonatal Survival Steering Team. 4 million deaths: When? Where? Why? Lancet 2005; 365(9462): 891-900

Oza S, Lawn JE, Hogan DR, Mather S and Cousens SN. Neonatal cause-of-death estimates for the early and late neonatal periods for 194 countries: 2000-2013. Bull World Health Organ 2015; 93:19-28.

Black RE, Cousens S, Johnson HL, Lawn JE, Rudan I, Bassani DG, Prabhat J, Campbell H, Walker CF, Cibulskis R, Eisle T, Liu L and Mathers C. Global, regional, and national causes of child mortality in 2008: a systematic analysis. Lancet 2010; 375:1969-87.

Miyahara R, Jasseh M, Mackenzie GA, Bottomley C, Hossain MJ, Greenwood BM, D’Alessandro and Roca A. The large contribution of twins to neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in The Gambia, a 5-year prospective study. BMC Pediatrics 2016; doi:10.1186/s12887-016-0573-2

Laing S, Remmelzwaal K, Cooper M and N’Dow J. Mobile telephone follow-up to ascertain birth outcomes in the Gambia. Telemedicine JE Health, 2020; 26(11): 1363-67.

Camara B, Oluwalana C, Miyahara R, Lush A, Kampmann B, Manneh K, Okomo U, D’Alessando U and Roca A. Stillbirths, neonatal morbidity, and mortality in health-facility deliveries in urban Gambia. Frontiers in Pediatrics 2021; 9: Article 579922.

The Gambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013. Gambia Bureau of Statistics, Banjul, The Gambia.

World Health Organisation. WHO antenatal care randomized trial: manual for the implementation of the new model, WHO document WHO/RHR/01.30. Geneva: WHO; 2002.

Laing SP, Guzek J, Rassam DM, Ceesay IS and N’Dow JMO. Determinants of compliance with the World Health Organisation recommendations for pregnant women in an urban health center in the Gambia. African Journal of Reproductive Health 2020; 24 (3):24-32.

Mohammed S, Bonsing I, Yakubu I and Wondong WP. Maternal obstetric and socio-demographic determinants of low birth weight: A retrospective cross-sectional study in Ghana. Reprod Health 2019; 16(1):70-77.

Desta M, Tadese M, Kassie B and Gedefaw M. Determinants and adverse perinatal outcomes of low birth weight newborns delivered in Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialised Hospital, Ethiopia: a cohort study. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12(1):118-124.

Olusanyo BO and Ofovwe GE. Predictors of preterm births and low birthweight in an inner-city hospital in sub-Saharan Africa. Matern Child Health 2010; 14(6):978-86.

Llunga PM, Mukuku O, Mawaw PM, Mutombo AM, Lubaba TK, Pongombo MSY, Luhete PK, Wembonyama SO, Kabamba AM and Numbi OL. Risk factors for low birth weight in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Med Sante Trop 2016; 26(4):386-390.

Gizaw B and Gebreweghin S. Factors associated with low birthweight in North Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia: Case-Control study. Ital J Pediatr. 2018; 44(1):76-84.

Kamala BA, Mgaya AH, Ngarina MM and Kidanto HL. Predictors of low birth weight and 24 hour perinatal outcomes at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania: A five year retrospective analysis of obstetric records. Pan Afr Med J. 2018; 29:220-232.

Kastro S, Demissie T and Yohannes B. Low birth weight among term newborns in Wolaita Sodo Town, South Ethiopia: a facility based cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018; 18(1):160-166.

Assefa N, Berhane Y and Worku A. Wealth status, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and antenatal care (ANC) are determinants for low birth weight in Kersa, Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2012; 7(6): e399957.

Dahlui M, Axahar N, Oche OM and Aziz NA. Risk factors for low birth weight in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Glob Health Action. 2016; 9:28822

Agorinya IA, Kanmiki EW, Nonterah EA, Tedioso F, Akazili J, Welaga P, Azonga D and Oduro AR. Socio-demographic determinants of low birth weight: evidence from the Kasswna-Nankana districts of the upper east region of Ghana. PLoS One. 2018; 13(11): e0206207.

Laing SP, Sinmyee S, Rafique K, Smith HE and Cooper MJ. Barriers to antenatal care in an urban community in The Gambia: an in-depth qualitative interview study. Afr J Reprod Health. 2017; 21(3):61-69.

Newborns: improving survival and well-being. World Health Organisation. 2020; https://www.who.int?news-room/fact-sheets/detail/newborns-reducing-mortality

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.