Prevalence and factors associated with intrahospital post- natal growth failure up to the point of discharge at Kigali University Teaching Hospital: Neonatology unit

Abstract

Background: Post-natal growth failure (PNGF) remains a big challenge globally; despite many remarkable advances in neonatal care, many studies show that there are many independent variables contributing to poor post-natal growth. Aims: The aim of the project was to provide an up-to-date overview of the prevalence of PNGF for LBW neonates and all the factors contributing to PNGF for LBW neonates admitted at the neonatology unit of a tertiary hospital in Kigali. Methodology: A prospective cross sectional study was conducted and the data collected was entered into Excel and was statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SPSS 21.0. Categorical variables (nominal) were described using frequency and percentages and statistically analyzed using the Chi Square test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine which factors are independently associated with PNGF. For continuous data, the mean and standard deviation were used, and a Student T-test and/or ANOVA was also conducted depending on the number of groups. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: 122 neonates meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study, females’ neonates represented 57% of all participants, 63.1% among enrolled neonates were born AGA, 111 neonates survived to discharge, 11 neonates died during study period, infants with PNGF at discharge were 72.1%, growth velocity was 14.9g/kg/day. The study showed that there are many variables with non-significant association with PNGF, Neonates who are small for gestation age at birth have significant risk to develop PNGF for weight at discharge with adjusted odd ratio of 8.756 (CI: 1.59 to 48.22), and p=0.013 .

Conclusion: Postnatal growth failure is common in low birth weight neonates especially those who are small for gestational age at birth, and there is non- significant correlation with different morbidities.