TITLE:
Morbidity and Mortality of Newborns in a Context of Limited Resources in Tombouctou, Mali
AUTHORS:
Kassogué Djibril, Cissouma Assétou, Kassogué Abdoulaye, Boré Boubacar, Sogoba Robert, Diallo Zoumana, Maiga Talfi, Dolo Akoro, Sogoba Seydou, Touré Lahaou, Maiga Mariam, Samaké Alou, Mariko Souleymane, Ongoiba Oumar, Sanogo Oumar, Traoré Bassirima
KEYWORDS:
Morbidity, Mortality, Newborns, Timbuktu
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.14 No.5,
September
4,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Worldwide, 2.3 million children died in the first 20 days after birth in 2022, according to the WHO. In Mali, according to the sixth Demographic and Health Survey, the neonatal mortality rate was estimated at 33% live births in 2018. The Timbuktu region had the highest neonatal mortality rate in the country with 44%. The objective of this work was to study the causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality and related factors in the paediatrics department of Timbuktu hospital. Materials and method: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted from 1 January to 31 December 2023 in the neonatology unit of the paediatrics department of Timbuktu hospital, including all newborns admitted to hospital. Results: Our study took place over 12 months, during which 618 admissions were made to the paediatric ward, including 244 newborns, i.e. 39.48%. The majority of newborns (86.5%) were admitted in the first week of life. The mean age was 3 days, with a sex ratio of 1.1 for males. Weight under 2500 g was 54.1% for an average weight of 2372 g. The main mode of admission was transfer from the hospital maternity unit (62%). The main reasons for admission were acute foetal distress (27.9%) and prematurity (26.2%). The average age of the mothers was 24, with extremes of 15 and 49. The mothers were housewives (87.3%), uneducated and primiparous (59% and 36.5% respectively); only 40.2% had made more than 3 antenatal care visits. Newborns born by vaginal delivery accounted for 80.7% and those born by caesarean section for 19.3%. The risk of infection was present in 52.5% of cases. The three leading causes of hospitalisation were birth asphyxia (40.2%), neonatal infection (32.4%) and prematurity (25%). The mortality rate was 21.7%. The main causes of death were prematurity (39.6%), birth asphyxia (32.1%) and neonatal infection (24.5%). Conclusion: Neonatal morbidity and mortality remain a concern in Timbuktu. Despite the unfavourable security situation, morbidity and mortality indicators are close to those in some hospitals in Mali. The correct application of Essential Newborn Care and antenatal care remains a major challenge for the hospital and the Timbuktu region.