Neonatal respiratory distress in Federal Medical Center, Asaba, Nigeria: Experiences from a low resource setting

Abstract

Abstract: Background Neonatal Respiratory distress, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low resource settings (LMICS). It is crucial to have a clear information of the situation to inform effective management. This review identifies the clinical presentation, associated causes and duration of admission for neonatal respiratory distress in new- born of lower middle-income countries (LMICS).
Methods: The institutional Ethical Committee approved the protocol. Patients or the public WERE NOT involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of our research. Upon informed parental consent, cases of Newborn respiratory distress were recruited prospectively from 1st July 2020 to 31st December 2020. Epidemiologic, demographic and other relevant information, were documented. Frequencies, Means, standard deviations, were studied.
Results: Of the three hundred and sixty-five neonates admitted during the study, 126 (34.5%) were preterm and 239 (65.5) were terms. 110(30%) had respiratory distress (RD), 58 of 71(64.5%) in born admissions were admitted within the 1st hour. More females than males had respiratory distress (ratio 1.4:1). Antecedent history included: caesarian section delivery (57.3%), preeclampsia (41.8%), preterm labor and PROM (17.3%) and fetal distress (14.5%) were associated with higher incidence of RD. Fast breathing 55.5% and grunting respirations 22.7% were commonest mode of presentation. The mean duration of admission was 3-10 days 48.1%, 41-60 days 7.3%. Eighty (72.7%) were discharged and 30 (27.30%) died.
Conclusion: Newborn RD was important cause of morbidity accounting for high mortality in our setting.