INCIDENCE, ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND OUTCOMES OF ANEMIA AMONG PRETERMNEONATES ADMITTED TO THE NEWBORN UNIT OF MOI TEACHING AND REFFERALHOSPITAL, KENYA

Abstract

Background: Each year, a growing number of preterm births.

Approximately 1million children die each year due to complications of preterm birth including anemia.

Objective: To determine the incidence, associated factors, and outcome of anemia among preterm neonates admitted to the newborn unit of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Methodology: This was a hospital-based prospective observational study, which was conducted in the newborn unit of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, from October 2023 to April 2024. Study participants were preterm neonates born before 37 completed weeks enrolled consecutively after consenting their mothers and followed up for a period of 28 days while in the unit or until discharge, referral, transfer or death. Gestational age was based on either last normal menstrual period, Ballard’s score or obstetric ultrasound scan

of the mother done before delivery. A standard tool was used to abstract information from files and document interview responses from the mothers. Complete blood Count tests done on 0,

7, 14, 21, 28 days of life. Results: The incidence of anemia among the 385 study participants who at baseline had normal hemoglobin levels was 44.7% (95% CI39.76 – 49.69). The incidence density rate was 28.3% per 1000 person-days. Of the 172 neonates who developed anemia, 33 (19.2%) received packed red blood cells. There were 95 (55.2%) who completed 28 days of follow-up, 60 (34.9%) discharged home and 17 (9.9%) died in the unit Low gestational age, low birth weight and increased phlebotomy blood loss were significantly associated with development of anemia in preterm neonates

(p<0.001).

Conclusion: The incidence of anemia was nearly half the total number of preterm neonates admitted in the unit during the study period