An exploration of anaemia in low-birthweight infants exposed to perinatal zidovudine at the neonatal unit at a regional hospital in Durban

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and degree of anaemia in low-birthweight neonates exposed to intrauterine zidovudine (AZT) at a regional hospital neonatal unit in Durban.Design: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study.Background: Perinatal exposure to AZT has been shown to cause anaemia in full-term babies. The effects of AZT in this group need to be established as there is a low-birthweight rate of 12.8% of anaemia in South Africa.Outcome measures: Outcomes measures of the study were the neonatal haemoglobin (Hb) levels, gestational age and duration of AZT exposure.Results: The total prevalence of anaemia was 47% in the 95 neonatal birth records analysed. The prevalence of anaemia was 16.7% and a mean Hb of 17 g/dl in the 26- to 28-week gestational age category; a prevalence of anaemia of 37% with a mean Hb of 16 g/dl in the 29- to 31-week category; and a prevalence of 54.8% of anaemia with a mean Hb of 17 g/dl in the > 31-week category. The mean Hb in the neon...