Immediate outcomes of neonates delivered by mothers with hypertension disorders: A retrospective cross – sectional study at a referral hospital in Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Globally, maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality due to hypertension during pregnancy, is a significant public threat in both developed and developing countries. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality morbidity worldwide and complicate 5–14 percent of all pregnancies. There is a need to improve the management of neonates from mother with hypertensive disorders by reducing foetal and neonatal mortality.

The aim of this study is to assess immediate outcomes of neonates delivered by mother with hypertension disorders and associated maternal factors at University Teaching Hospital in Rwanda.

Methods: A retrospective quantitative study of patients ‘files was conducted for the period of January 2016 and March 2019 inclusive. A census sample of 114 files was used to collect data using a pretested checklist. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation and frequencies tables were used to summarize the data. Chisquare was used to assess the association between maternal factors with neonatal outcomes

Results: The most neonatal outcomes of mothers with hypertension disorders were found; Low birth weight was found at 75.4%, prematurity at 59.6%, NICU admission at 50.4% was found, intra-uterine foetal retardation at 32.4%, neonatal death at 22.8%. Nearly two-third (62%) of the sample had pre-eclampsia. Gestational age, past medical history, mode of delivery, referral status, chronic hypertension, and GTPAL were found to be associated with the neonate’s outcomes.

Conclusion: The present study concluded that there is a relationship between maternal factors and neonatal outcomes such us; birth asphyxia, low birth weight, prematurity, NICU admission, intra-uterine growth retardation and neonates death. Therefore early detection and management of hypertensive disorders is recommended.