Authors: Mekone Nkwele Isabelle, Nsoh Ndeh-Fofang, Kago Tague, Epée Ngoué Jeannette, Kamo Hélène Selangai, Ngone Ines, Mah Evelyn.
Introduction: Premature newborns suffer from a variety of complications including postnatal growth retardation (PNGR). PNGR predisposes preterm infants to unfavourable neurodevelopmental growth and increased mortality and morbidity in adulthood.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection at HGOPY over 8 months for premature newborns born in the January 2020 - April 2023 window. Sociodemographic and clinical data from birth and during follow-up were collected. SPSS version 23.0 was used for data analysis. Multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model established associated factors with an Odd Ratio interval of 95% and a significant value of p< 0.05.
Results: 228 preterm neonates were included with a median corrected gestational age of 32 [31-34] weeks of amenorrhoea. The mean birth weight was 1547 ± 362.84 g. The main route of initial nutrition was enteral (65.4%). At 40 weeks' gestation, the mean weight was 2909.85 ± 735.17 g. The prevalence of postnatal growth retardation was 46.9%. The most significant factors associated with growth retardation were low birth weight [OR: 3.71 (95% CI: 1.82-7.51); p<0.001] and birth weight less than 1500 g [OR: 2.22 (95% CI: 1.30-3.80); p= 0.002].
Conclusion: The burden of postnatal growth retardation was significant in our study. Risk factors associated with this condition included low birth weight and birth weights below 1500g.