Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: February | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 142-151
Prevalence and Clinical Outcome of Neonates with Macrosomia Admitted in the Special Care Baby Unit of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria
Boma Awoala West
Consultant Paediatrician, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Department of Paediatrics, No 6-8 Harley Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
Background: Macrosomia, now an emerging public health problem in the world has significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence and clinical outcome of macrosomic babies admitted into the neonatal unit of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: It was a prospective study carried out from April 2019 to March 2020.
Results: There were 1,938 deliveries during the period of study of which 173 weighed ≥ 4000g giving a prevalence rate of 8.9%. Males predominated 43(59.7%) with a M: F ratio of 1.5: 1 and mode of delivery was majorly via Caesarean section 55(76.4%). Most mothers of macrosomic babies were aged, 27-36 years 46(63.9%) and were mainly multiparous 49(68.6%). The commonest indications of Caesarean section were cephalopelvic disproportion (34.0%), previous Caesarean section (28.3%) and big baby (18.9%) while the commonest morbidities observed were probable sepsis(48.6%), neonatal jaundice (31.9%), difficulty breathing (30.6%) and hypoglycaemia (25.0%). Probable sepsis, difficulty breathing, infants of diabetic mothers and transient tachypnea of the newborn were significantly associated with macrosomia (P<0.05). Neonates with macrosomia were 2times more likely to be infants of diabetic mothers (95% CI: 1.14-4.53) and had 2times the risk of having transient tachypnea of the newborn (95% CI: 1.19-3.46). Sixty-two (86.1%) babies were discharged and 2(2.8%) died.
Conclusion: The prevalence of macrosomia is high (8.9%) with male preponderance. A mortality of 2.8% therefore calls for a high index of suspicion during the antenatal and neonatal period so as to reduce both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.
Key words: Neonates, Macrosomia, Prevalence, Outcome, Nigeria.