Respiratory Distress Syndrom of the Newborn in the Neonatology Unit of the Bouake University Hospital (Cote D'ivoire)

Background: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a frequent and poorly studied cause of morbidity and mortality in Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire). The objective of the study was to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of this condition for the improvement of prognosis.

Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted in neonatology at the Bouaké University Hospital from January to December 2018. This included newborn admitted for RDS based on clinical arguments and with an exploitable medical record. The variables studied were socio-demographic, diagnostic, therapeutic and progressive. The data analysis was descriptive and analytical. The comparison of quantitative variables was made at the significance threshold p≤0,05.

Results: 1920 newborns were admitted, 232 of whom were for DRs (146 boys and 86 girls), representing a prevalence of 12%. The age was less than 3 days in 87%. The newborn was full term (78%), premature (19%), post-term (3%). The four causes accounting for 97% of etiologies are infection (50%), inhalation of amniotic fluid (23%), hyaline membrane disease (15%) and delayed resorption of pulmonary fluid (9%). The evolution was favourable in 69%. Lethality was 22%. Factors associated with death were maternal age <20 years (p=0.009), SARNAT II and III score (p=0.02), infection (p=0.001) and amniotic fluid inhalation (p=0.02) and hyaline membrane disease (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Neonatal RDS is common at Bouaké University Hospital. The main etiologies are infection, inhalation of amniotic fluid and hyaline membrane disease. Lethality remains high. Improving prognosis requires increased resources and collaboration between the gynaecologist/obstetrician and the paediatrician.

Keywords: Respiratory distress, newborn, etiology, prognosis, Côte d’Ivoire.