LogoLogoMSF Science Portal
  • My saved items
logo

© Médecins Sans Frontières

MSF Science Portal
About MSF Science Portal
About MSF
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

v2.1.4829.produseast1

Journal Article > Research

How do low birth weight neonates fare two years after discharge from a low-technology neonatal care unit in a rural district hospital in Burundi?

van den Boogaard W, Zuniga I, Manzi M, Van der Bergh R, Lefevre A, Nanan-N'Zeth K, Duchenne B, Etienne W, Juma N, Ndelema B, Zachariah R
Download
Download
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
As neonatal care is being scaled up in economically poor settings, there is a need to know more on post-hospital discharge and longer-term outcomes. Of particular interest are mortality, prevalence of developmental impairments and malnutrition, all known to be worse in low-birthweight neonates (LBW, <2500 g). Getting a better handle on these parameters might justify and guide support interventions. Two years after hospital discharge, we thus assessed: mortality, developmental impairments and nutritional status of LBW children.

METHODS
Methods: Household survey of LBW neonates discharged from a neonatal special care unit in Rural Burundi between January and December 2012.

RESULTS
Of 146 LBW neonates, 23% could not be traced and 4% had died. Of the remaining 107 children (median age = 27 months), at least one developmental impairment was found in 27%, with 8% having at least five impairments. Main impairments included delays in motor development (17%) and in learning and speech (12%). Compared to LBW children (n = 100), very-low-birthweight (VLBW, <1500 g, n = 7) children had a significantly higher risk of impairments (intellectual - P = 0.001), needing constant supervision and creating a household burden (P = 0.009). Of all children (n-107), 18% were acutely malnourished, with a 3½ times higher risk in VLBWs (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS
Reassuringly, most children were thriving 2 years after discharge. However, malnutrition was prevalent and one in three manifested developmental impairments (particularly VLBWs) echoing the need for support programmes. A considerable proportion of children could not be traced, and this emphasises the need for follow-up systems post-discharge.
Countries
Burundi
Subject Area
pediatricsSORT-ITmalnutritionneonatal health
DOI
10.1111/tmi.12845
Published Date
31-Jan-2017
PubMed ID
28142216
Languages
English
Journal
Tropical Medicine and International Health
Volume / Issue / Pages
Volume 22, Issue 4, Pages 423-430
Issue Date
02-Mar-2017
Dimensions Badge