TITLE:
Factors Associated with Hypothermia in the Neonatology Unit of the Ouémé-Plateau Departmental University Hospital Center
AUTHORS:
Gilles Bognon, Nicole Tchiakpe, Mohamed Ladjouan, Bello Dyne, Caroline Padonou, Oresta Dai Tometin
KEYWORDS:
Neonatal Hypothermia, Low Birth Weight, Warm Chain
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.16 No.3,
May
27,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Neonatal hypothermia is common, and thermoregulation remains a major physiological challenge for the newborn. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with hypothermia in the neonatology unit of the pediatric department at CHUD-OP. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study conducted from March 1 to May 31, 2024. It involved newborns admitted to the neonatology unit of CHUD-OP who experienced hypothermia. Data analysis was performed using the R software, version 4.3.2. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The prevalence of hypothermia was 62.1% (n = 663). The majority of newborns (n = 467; 70.4%) had hypothermia upon admission. The median age was 19 hours, with extremes ranging from 3 minutes to 631 hours. The sex ratio was 1.2. Nearly half of the newborns (n = 278; 41.9%) were premature. Less than one-third (29.6%, n = 196) were transported in a warm manner. The main causes of hypothermia were neonatal infections, low birth weight, and perinatal asphyxia. Almost all newborns were warmed (n = 639; 96.4%). The mortality rate was 15.2%. The main factors associated with hypothermia upon admission were age (p Conclusion: The prevalence of hypothermia is high in the neonatology unit at CHUD-OP, increasing neonatal mortality. It is therefore essential to adhere to the elements of the warm chain to achieve sustainable development goal 3.