Prevalence and predictive factors of birth traumas in neonates presenting to the children emergency center of a tertiary center in Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Although the majority of birth injuries are minor and often unreported, occasionally birth injuries may be so severe as to be fatal or leave the child with a permanent disability or even death.Objective: This study aimed to document the patterns and predictive factors of birth injuries in neonates presenting at the emergency center of a tertiary hospital in South west, Nigeria. Patients And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of neonates who presented at the Olikoye Ransome-Kuti Children Emergency Center of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital between October and December 2016. All neonates admitted for treatment at the center for any clinical condition were included in the study after initial review or resuscitation/treatment for their primary complaint, and consent was obtained from their caregivers. The babies were examined by at least a senior resident and any abnormality documented. Any underlining medical conditions such as asphyxia and neonatal sepsis were properly investigated and treated. Statistical analyses were performed by chi-square, student's t-test, using SPSS version 20.0. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 134 neonates were reviewed during the study period with majority, 84 (62.7%), being males. The mean age at presentation was 65.2 ± 89.2 h (median 24 h). Caput succedaneum (22.2%) and subconjunctival hemorrhage (22.2%) were the most frequent injuries observed, while cranial nerve injury the least. One patient had multiple injuries (cranial nerve injury with fractures humerus). Conclusions: Overall prevalence and pattern of birth injuries in neonates presenting at our emergency center was consistent with various studies from other centers. Parity of the mother, significant maternal medical history, duration of labor, mode of delivery, and skill of attending personnel at delivery were significant factors associated with birth injuries