TITLE:
Etiological Profile and Predictors of Mortality for Neonatal Hemorrhage at the Oueme Departmental University Hospital Center in 2024 (Benin)
AUTHORS:
Gilles Bognon, Yévèdo Tohodjèdé, Mohamed Ladjouan, Nicole Tchiakpè, Tanguy Azankpo, Gratien Sagbo
KEYWORDS:
Neonatal Hemorrhage, Birth Trauma, Neonatal Mortality, Prognostic Factors
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.16 No.5,
September
24,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Neonatal hemorrhage is a common emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality, for which hospital data remain limited in Benin. The objective of this study was to determine the etiological profile and predictors of mortality associated with neonatal hemorrhage at CHUD-Ouémé in 2024. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical prospective cohort study conducted from July 1 to December 31, 2024, in the neonatal unit at CHUD-Ouémé. All newborns aged 0 to 28 days presenting with hemorrhagic manifestations were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic, and outcome data were collected. Factors associated with death were identified using multivariate logistic regression, with a significance threshold of p Results: The hospital frequency was 11.9%. The mean age was 87.3 ± 34.32 hours, and 99% of cases occurred during the early neonatal period. Non-external hemorrhages predominated (86.2%), primarily subcutaneous (77%). The main causes were obstetric trauma (89.0%), thrombocytopenia (12.0%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (6.9%), and hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (6.4%). The case-fatality rate was 14.7%. In the multivariate analysis, low birth weight (OR = 3.23; 95% CI: 1.7 - 6.1, p = 0.0001), external hemorrhage (OR = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.8 - 9.4, p = 0.0003), moderate placental abruption (OR = 5.1; 95% CI: 1.7 - 13.2, p = 0.001) or high (OR = 12.1; 95% CI: 3.5 - 41.3, p = 0.001), neonatal infection (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 2.1 - 6.8, p Conclusion: Neonatal hemorrhages are common at CHUD-Ouémé, and their case-fatality rate remains high. Obstetric trauma is the leading cause. Preventing obstetric and infectious complications, as well as improving the management of severe cases, could help reduce neonatal mortality.