TITLE:
The Prognosis of Newborns of Hypertensive Mothers in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
AUTHORS:
Nisa Furaha Bidorho, Mambo Mwilo, Neneh Luhiriri Mwindja, Jeannière Tumsifu Manegabe, Kitoga Muke, Léonard Kanku Tudiakwile, Archippe Birindwa Muhandule
KEYWORDS:
Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Prognosis, Newborns
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Pregnancy with hypertensive disorders is a serious complication that increases the risk of maternal and neonatal complications in developing countries. The aim of this study is to determine the outcome of newborns of hypertensive mothers. Materials and Methodology: This is a prospective descriptive study that gathered 89 neonates of hypertensive mothers in the Panzi General Reference Hospital Neonatal Department from February 20, 2021 to May 20, 2022. Results: The average age of mothers was 28.98 ± 7.02 years; 88.4% were housewives and 77.9% came from Ibanda commune, with a history of abortion, gravid hypertension and fetal death in utero. Prenatal consultation was attended by 98.8% of patients and started in the second trimester of pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia was responsible for 72.1%, gestational hypertension for 18.6%, pre-eclampsia being added to chronic hypertension 5.8% and chronic hypertension 3.5%. Hellp syndrome leads to pregnancy complications (17.4%), eclampsia (12.8%), and acute renal failure (5.8%). Antenatal corticosteroid therapy was administered in 26.7% of cases. Mean gestational age was 35.92 ± 2.79 SA, and delivery was by caesarean section (69.8%). The average birth weight of newborns was 2423.66 ± 794.41 grams; 90.7% had an Apgar ≥ 7 at the 5th minute; 33.7% were resuscitated at birth; and 70.9% were transferred to Neonatology. Respiratory distress was present in 39.5% and convulsions in 1.2%. Complications accounted for 38.4%, including neonatal jaundice (57.6%), neonatal infections (42.4%) and enterocolitis (9.1%), with an average hospital stay of 11.05 ± 11.40 days, and 10 cases of death (11.6%). Conclusion: Mortality among newborns of hypertensive mothers remains high in our setting; improved prenatal consultations and management of the newborn will reduce this mortality.