Author(s)

C. J. Kiteze Nguinzanémou^1,2*, B. O. Bogning Mejiozem^1,2, S. Ningatoloum Nazita^1,2, F. D. Fiobème^1,2, E. V. Ngatimo^1,2, J. E. Kosh-Komba Palet^1,2, I. M. Wando Kangalé^1,2, E. Kiteze Bandassa^1,2, S.-C.H. Diemer², J.-C. Gody^1,2

¹Clinique Médicale Infantile Raymond Max Siopathis, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Pédiatrique de Bangui CHUPB, Bangui, Ré-publique Centrafricaine.
²Faculté des Sciences de la Santé (FACSS), Bangui, République Centrafricaine.

Objective: The aim of this work was to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of prematurity at CHUPB. Materials and Methods: a case-control study was performed between February and June 2021 at CHUPB. Our study population consisted of premature infants who were matched to full-term newborns on a 1:1 basis. The variables studied were maternal characteristics (age, marital status, education level, and occupation) as well as pregnancy (maternal history, prenatal care), delivery (maternal fever, rupture of membranes), and newborns (gestational age, sex, and weight). The chi² test with a significance level of p < 0.05 and the adjusted odds ratio were used. Results: A total of 609 newborns were hospitalized, 219 of whom were premature (36%), of whom 100 premature infants meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Maternal age < 18 years was noted in 20% of cases (adjusted OR = 2.94 [0.86 - 10.06]) versus 5% of controls. Low educational level was noted in 47% (adjusted OR = 4.33 [1.88 - 9.96]) of cases versus 14% of controls. The risk factors identified were previous preterm delivery (adjusted OR = 0.06 [0.00 - 0.80]), maternal fever before labor (adjusted OR = 0.43 [0.20 - 0.90]), and premature rupture of membrane (RPM), (adjusted OR = 0.32 [0.16 - 0.64]). There was no association between marital status and insufficient prenatal visits (ANC) in relation to the occurrence of prematurity. Conclusion: The reduction of preterm births requires improved monitoring of pregnancy, delivery and care of the newborn. But primary prevention lies in improving the living conditions of the population.

Prematurity, CHUPB, Risk Factors

Nguinzanémou, C. , Mejiozem, B. , Nazita, S. , Fiobème, F. , Ngatimo, E. , Palet, J. , Kangalé, I. , Bandassa, E. , Diemer, S. and Gody, J. (2022) Determinants of Prematurity at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique de Bangui (CHUPB). Open Journal of Pediatrics, 12, 850-856. doi: 10.4236/ojped.2022.125086.