Factors related to pathologies in the early neonatal period at the University Hospital Center of Lome (Togo)

Early neonatal mortality is responsible for almost 75% of overall neonatal mortality in West Africa. In a prospective study of 3174 live births the authors examined the pathologies diagnosed in newborns aged 0-7 days admitted to the Neonatology Unit of Tokoin Hospital in Lome explored the factors associated with these pathologies and studied their hospital evolution. The study was conducted over a 6-month period from early February to the end of July 1996. 250 subjects were included in the study. Infection (36.4%) cerebral disturbance (19.6%) prematurity (16.4%) respiratory difficulties (7.6%) and hemorrhagic disease (4.8%) were the main pathologies observed during the early neonatal period affecting 84.8% of all subjects. The overall death rate was 52.8% of which 64.4% died during the first 48 hours of hospitalization. Neonatal and maternal factors associated with these pathologies are discussed. The main factors linked to these pathologies during the early neonatal period are the condition of young primiparous women the low socioeconomic level of the mothers poor pregnancy management and the poor perinatal environment.