ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Pediatr., 16 January 2023

Sec. Neonatology

Volume 10 - 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.966630

Birth asphyxia, determinants, and its management among neonates admitted to NICU in Harari and Dire Dawa Public Hospitals, eastern Ethiopia

  • 1. Department Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

  • 2. School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

  • 3. School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background:

Despite a declining neonatal mortality rate globally, Ethiopia has scored 29–30 deaths per 1,000 live births. Birth asphyxia is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, where 4–9 million newborns develop birth asphyxia each year. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of birth asphyxia, its determinants, and its management among neonates admitted to the NICU in Harari and Dire Dawa public hospitals.

Methods:

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 409 randomly selected neonates and their index mothers admitted to neonatal intensive care units of public hospitals in Harari and Dire Dawa from June 20 to August 20, 2021. Data were collected through card review and interviewer-administered questionnaires. The collected data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with birth asphyxia. Adjusted odds ratios along with 95% CIs were estimated to measure the strength of the association, and statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05.

Results:

One-fifth of neonates [20.8% (95% CI: 16.4, 24.6%)] had birth asphyxia. Neonates born by instrumental delivery (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.10, 4.76) and neonates born to mother with PIH (AOR = 3.49, 95% CI: 1.47, 8.27), PROM (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.26), and chorioamnionitis (AOR = 3.26, 95% CI: 1.10, 9.61) were more likely to have birth asphyxia compared to their counterpart. Ventilation with a bag and mask 50(58.8), putting on free oxygen 19(22.4), and endotracheal intubation 15(17.6) were taken as management methods.

Conclusion:

One out of five neonates had birth asphyxia. This urges care providers to adhere to national guidelines of obstetrics and neonatal continuum care. They also need to decrease instrumental delivery and treat PIH, PROM, and chorioamnionitis.

Introduction

Despite a declining neonatal mortality rate globally, striking disparities exist across regions and countries (). For instance, neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa was 10 times higher than among high-income countries (). Similarly, the neonatal mortality rate in Ethiopia increased in the last 4 years from 29 to 30 deaths per 1,000 live births (). Birth asphyxia is the failure of neonates to initiate and sustain breathing at birth resulting from antepartum, intrapartum, and/or postpartum events (). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), birth asphyxia is a major contributor to 900,000 neonatal deaths each year ().

Birth asphyxia is related to the reduced availability of skilled care during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum periods (). Women who received midwife-led continuity of care and health information and were regulated to international standards are 16% less likely to lose their baby and 24% less likely to experience preterm birth (). Moreover, birth asphyxia results from fetomaternal and placental events such as maternal hemorrhage, high blood pressure, cord accidents, acute abruption, uterine rupture, intrapartum infection, and long or difficult delivery (, ).

Birth asphyxia is preventable with strategies such as increasing ANC coverage, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care (). Guidelines endorsed by WHO and the American Academy of Pediatrics for neonatal resuscitation represent a standard practice that improves outcomes in asphyxiated newborns (). Even though the guidelines for treating birth asphyxia are well established in Ethiopia, many neonates are suffering complications (19%) (, ). To give adequate and quick resuscitation measures for asphyxiated neonates, understanding its determinants is vital. Also, identifying birth asphyxia suitcases and determinants is vital to controlling birth asphyxia and neonatal deaths by developing contextual interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of birth asphyxia, its determinants, and its management among neonates admitted to the NICU in Harari and Dire Dawa public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

Study setting, design, and period

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Harari and Dire Dawa public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia from June 20 to August 20, 2021. Dire Dawa is one of the administrative cities of Ethiopia and is located at a distance of 515 km from Addis Ababa (). Dire Dawa has a health service coverage of 95%, with two public hospitals (Dilchora and Sabiyan) equipped with neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) (). Also, Harari is one of the 11 regions, located 526 km from Addis Ababa (, ). Harari has two public hospitals (Hiwot Fana and Jugol) equipped with NICUs. The study was conducted in the NICU. The unit is run by consultants, pediatric and child health residents, and nurses.

Sample size determination

The sample size was determined using a single-population proportion formula with assumptions; the prevalence of neonatal sepsis among neonates admitted to NICU is 52.6% according to the study conducted in Jimma (), with 95% level of confidence = 1.96 and a margin of error = 5% (d = 0.05):

Therefore, a sample size of 421 was used for this study with a 10% nonrespondent rate.

Sampling techniques, study populations, and eligibility criteria

All public hospitals equipped with NICUs from Harari and Dire Dawa sites (Dilchora, Sabiyan, Hiwot Fana, and Jugol) were included conveniently. Accordingly, 968 neonates admitted to NICU in the last 3 months in both Harari and Dire Dawa public hospitals were included. Systematic sampling was used to obtain study subjects. The sampling interval was calculated by dividing the number of neonates admitted to the NICU (N = 968) at each hospital by the total sample size (n = 421). The samples from each hospital were allocated proportionally to the number of neonates admitted to the NICU at those hospitals. All participants were obtained every two intervals after the first participant (number 2) was obtained by the lottery method (Figure 1). Neonates admitted to the NICU of each hospital during the study period and mothers who gave written informed consent were our study population. Where mothers of neonates with critical conditions and who died were excluded (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Data collection tools, procedures, and measurements

A structured questionnaire was adapted from different literature works (–). The questionnaire was designed to obtain participants' information on sociodemographic characteristics, obstetrics factors, birth asphyxia, and its management. The questionnaire was initially developed in English and translated into the local languages (Afan Oromo and Amharic) before being translated back to English. Data were collected by eight midwives using card review and interviewer-administered questionnaires. Birth asphyxia is a medical diagnosis of neonates by midwives/physicians based on the Apgar score at birth. Accordingly, an Apgar score of greater than 7 at 1 min of age was classified as no birth asphyxia, and an Apgar score of less than 7 at 1 min of age, metabolic acidosis (pH ≤ 7.0), or no breathing at 1 min of age was recorded as mild/moderate to severe birth asphyxia (). Management modalities of birth asphyxia were extracted from the neonates' cards and records.

Data quality control

To ensure data quality, an appropriate data collection instrument was developed. Trained data collectors were regularly supervised by principal investigators and supervisors to ensure proper data collection; all questionnaires were checked daily for completeness and consistency. A pretest was conducted on 5% of the sample size in a nearby public hospital that was not one of the main study's recruitment sites, after which the questionnaire was revised and edited, and any questions found to be unclear or ambiguous were removed or corrected accordingly.

Data processing and analysis

The data were coded, entered into Epi data version 3.1, cleaned, and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. The Omnibus test and Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test (0.87) were used to determine the correlation between independent variables, and the multi-colinearity test was used to determine the correlation between independent variables using variable inflation factors. Descriptive statistics such as tables were used to present frequency distributions. Bivariable analysis was employed to identify factors associated with birth asphyxia. Variables with p-value ≤ 0.25 during bivariable analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression models to control for all possible confounders and to identify factors associated with birth asphyxia. The direction and strength of statistical association were measured by odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. The odds ratio along with 95% CI were estimated to measure the strength of the association. The level of statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05.

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences (Ref. No. IHRERC/105/2021). Written permission was obtained from each of the hospital administrative bodies and unit heads. The participants were informed that their participation was entirely voluntary. Moreover, informed and written consent was obtained from each study participant (mother of a neonate).

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics of participants

A total of 409 neonates and their index mothers admitted to NICUs were involved in the interview; this yields a response rate of 97.1%. More than half of the mothers of neonates [225 (55.0%)] were found between the ages of 25 and 34 years. The majority of mothers of neonates [373 (91.2%)] were married, and 228 (55.7%) mothers were Oromo by ethnicity. Six out of ten mothers [247 (60.4%)] were urban residents. Regarding the educational status of mothers of neonates, 127 (31.1%) did not attend formal education and 181 (44.3%) mothers of neonates were housewives by occupation. Similarly, more than half [222 (54.3%)] were female neonates (Table 1).

Table 1

CharacteristicsCategoriesFrequencyPercentage
Maternal age15–24 years15337.4
25–34 years22555.0
35–49 years317.6
Maternal religionMuslim28569.7
Orthodox9523.2
Protestant297.1
Maternal residenceUrban24760.4
Rural16239.6
Maternal educationInformal12731.1
Formal28268.9
Maternal occupationHousewife18144.3
Civil servant7217.6
Merchant1128.8
Student389.3
Maternal ethnicityOromo22855.7
Amhara8320.3
Somali6515.9
Harari204.9
Othersa133.2
Marital statusSingle133.2
Married37391.2
Divorced235.6
Sex of the neonateMale18745.7
Female22254.3

Socio-demographic characteristics of mothers of neonates admitted to NICUs of public Hospitals in Harari and Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia (n=409).

a

Gurage, Wolayita, Silte; ETB, Ethiopian total Birr.

Obstetrics characteristics of participants

Eight out of ten mothers [325 (79.5%)] had ANC for a recent pregnancy, and three-fifths of mothers [239 (58.4%)] were multiparous. Regarding infections of the mother, 17 (4.2%) mothers had HIV infection, 94 (23%) had UTI, and 20 (4.9%) had chorioamnionitis. More than three-sevenths of mothers [190 (46.5%)] had anemia during their recent pregnancy, and 70 (17.1%) mothers had PROM. Also, 29 (7.1%) mothers had APH and 31 (7.6%) had PIH. Eight out of ten mothers [331 (80.9%)] gave birth by SVD, and the majority of neonates [284 (69.4%)] were born at term gestational age (Table 2).

Table 2

CharacteristicsCategoriesFrequencyPercentage
ANC visitYes32579.5
No8420.5
ParityPrimipara17041.6
Multipara23958.4
Maternal UTIYes9423
No31577
Maternal HIV statusNegative37591.7
Positive174.2
Unknown174.2
Anemia during pregnancyYes19046.5
No21953.5
PROMYes7017.1
No33982.9
APHYes297.1
No38092.9
PIHYes317.6
No37892.4
ChorioamnionitisYes204.9
No38995.1
Mode of deliverySVD33180.9
C/S5212.7
Instrumental266.4
Prolonged laborYes39095.4
No194.6
Gestational age at birth (weeks)Preterm12530.6
Term28469.4
Birth weight (kg)Macrosomia409.8
Normal34283.6
LBW276.6

Obstetrics characteristics of mothers of neonates admitted to NICUs of public Hospitals in Harari and Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia, 2021 (n = 409).

ANC, antenatal care; APH, antepartum hemorrhage; C/S, cesarean section; LBW, low birth weight; PIH, pregnancy-induced hypertension; PROM, premature rupture of the membrane; UTI, upper uterine infection; SVD, spontaneous vaginal delivery.

Prevalence of birth asphyxia and its management

Of the total neonates who partook in the study, one-fifth [20.8% (95% CI: 16.4, 24.6%)] had birth asphyxia. Ventilation with a bag and mask 50(58.8), putting on free oxygen 19(22.4), and endotracheal intubation 15(17.6) were utilized as management methods (Table 3).

Table 3

CharacteristicsCategoriesFrequencyPercentage
Birth asphyxiaYes8520.8
No32479.2
Management methodsOxygen1922.4
Ventilation with a bag and mask5058.8
Endotracheal intubation1517.6

Prevalence of birth asphyxia and its management among neonates admitted to NICU of public Hospitals in Harari and Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia, 2021 (n = 409).

Factors associated with birth asphyxia

In bivariable logistic regression, maternal age, residence, sex of the neonates, birth weight, prolonged labor, gestational age, mothers with PROM, mode of delivery, maternal anemia during pregnancy, chorioamnionitis, and PIH were factors associated with perinatal asphyxia.

However, in multivariable logistic regression, neonates born by instrumental delivery were twofold [AOR: 2.29, [95% CI: (1.10, 4.76)]] more prone to have perinatal asphyxia compared to neonates born by spontaneous vaginal delivery. The odds of perinatal asphyxia among neonates born to mothers with chorioamnionitis during pregnancy were three times [AOR = 3.26, [95% CI: (1.10, 9.61)]] higher compared to neonates whose mothers did not have chorioamnionitis during pregnancy.

Similarly, neonates who were born from a mother with PROM were two and half times [AOR = 2.23, [95% CI: (1.17, 4.26)]] more likely to develop perinatal asphyxia compared to neonates who were born from a mother without PROM. The odds of perinatal asphyxia were three times [AOR = 3.49, [95% CI: (1.47, 8.27)]] higher among neonates born from mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension compared to their counterparts (Table 4).

Table 4

VariablesCategoriesBirth asphyxiaCOR (95% CI)AOR (95% CI)p-Value
YesNo
n (%)n (%)
Maternal age17–24 years23 (27.1)130 (40.1)1
25–34 years52 (61.2)173 (53.4)2.69 (1.12, 6.44)2.12 (0.78, 5.75)0.137
35–49 years10 (11.8)21 (6.5)1.58 (0.70, 3.57)1.17 (0.47, 2.94)0.727
Sex of neonateMale49 (57.6)138 (42.6)0.54 (0.33,0.88)0.59 (0.34, 1.02)0.063
Female36 (42.4)186 (57.4)1
ResidenceUrban41 (48.2)206 (63.6)1
Rural44 (51.8)118 (36.4)1.87 (1.15, 3.03)1.34 (0.77, 2.33)0.287
PROMYes26 (30.6)44 (13.6)2.80 (1.60, 4.91)2.23 (1.17, 4.26)0.015
No59 (69.4)280 (86.4)1
Prolonged laborYes78 (91.8)312 (96.3)2.33 (0.88, 6.12)0.51 (0.17, 1.54)0.235
No7 (8.2)12 (3.7)
Birth weightNormal11 (12.9)29 (9.0)1
Low67 (78.8)275 (84.9)1.55 (0.74, 3.27)1.35 (0.58, 3.15)0.482
High7 (8.2)20 (6.2)1.08 (0.35, 3.27)1.57 (0.38, 6.45)0.527
Gestational age at birthPreterm37 (43.5)88 (27.2)2.06 (1.26, 3.38)1.69 (0.93, 3.05)0.081
Term48 (56.5)236 (72.8)1
PIHYes13 (15.3)18 (5.6)3.06 (1.43, 6.55)3.49 (1.47, 8.27)0.004
No72 (84.7)306 (94.4)1
Maternal anemiaYes36 (42.4)154 (47.5)0.81 (0.50, 1.31)1.51 (0.87, 2.61)0.139
No49 (57.6)170 (52.5)1
Mode of deliveryC/S18 (21.2)34 (10.5)0.72 (0.27, 1.89)0.65 (0.21, 1.97)0.449
Instrumental11 (12.9)15 (4.6)2.60 (1.37, 4.92)2.29 (1.10, 4.76)0.025
SVD56 (65.9)275 (84.9)1
ChorioamnionitisYes12 (14.1)8 (2.5)6.49 (2.56, 16.45)3.26 (1.10, 9.61)0.032
No73 (85.9)316 (97.5)1

Determinants of birth asphyxia among neonates admitted to NICUs in Harari and Dire Dawa public hospitals, 2021.

PROM, premature rupture of the membrane; SVD, spontaneous vaginal delivery; C/S, cesarean section; PIH, pregnancy-induced hypertension; COR, crude Odds Ratio; AOR, adjusted odds ratio.

Discussion

Birth asphyxia can lead to fatal outcomes or life-long complications among neonates. Hence, information regarding the prevalence of asphyxia and its determinants is needed to develop contextual interventions that are crucial in reducing the overall newborns' morbidity and mortality. One-fifth of neonates had birth asphyxia. Similarly, instrumental delivery, PROM, PIH, and chorioamnionitis were found to be determinants of birth asphyxia.

In this study, nearly one-fifth of neonates (20.8%) admitted to NICUs in Harari and Dire Dawa had birth asphyxia. This finding was in line with the studies finding in Tigray (22.1% and 18%) (, ), northwest Ethiopia (19.8%) (), and Ghana (15.1%) (). However, it was lower than the studies found in Dilla (32.8%) () and Nigeria (30.1%) (). The disparity might be related to the difference in the level of obstetrics quality care, maternal complications, and health care coverage difference. Ventilation with a bag and mask, administration of oxygen, and endotracheal intubation are the treatments taken for birth asphyxia. This implies that those health facilities are adhering to national guidelines for the treatment of birth asphyxia.

Premature rupture of the membrane (PROM) was significantly associated with birth asphyxia. This is supported by a study conducted in Uganda () and Ghana (). This might be due to the low uteroplacental perfusion of the blood as a consequence of cord prolapse and abruption placenta following PROM. Also, there is a high chance of meconium aspiration syndrome, leading to airway obstruction and subsequent low APGAR score and hypoxia (, ).

The odds of birth asphyxia were higher among women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) compared to their counterparts. This is in agreement with the study in Nigeria (). Also, it is consistent with reports of Gebregziabher et al. () and Dubie et al. (). Neonates born from hypertensive women are at a higher risk for low uteroplacental perfusion of the blood as a result of vasospasm of large arteries that can feed 600–800 ml/min to the uterus. Moreover, anticonvulsive drugs have a depressive effect on the respiratory system of the mothers, which in turn leads to perinatal asphyxia (, ). Health providers need to follow PIH treatment national guidelines to decrease this adverse outcome.

Neonates born by instrumental delivery were twofold more likely to have birth asphyxia compared to neonates born by spontaneous vaginal delivery. This is consonant with reports of Kune et al. () and Dubie et al. (). The reason behind this is that forceps and/or vacuum extractors may cause a defective central nervous system, which makes it difficult to initiate breathing and uterine rupture, resulting in decreased blood flow to the fetus (–). The instrumental operators can prevent this birth asphyxia by adhering to the indications and prerequisites of instrumental delivery recommended by national guidelines (–).

The odds of birth asphyxia were three times more among mothers encountering chorioamnionitis during their pregnancy, similar to what was reported in southwest Ethiopia (), India (), and Pakistan (). Possibly, the presence of chorioamnionitis may cause aspiration of meconium-stained amniotic fluid to occur, which can block small airways, deactivate surfactants, and may also inhibit surfactant synthesis, resulting in birth asphyxia (, ).

Strengths and limitations of the study

The strength of this study was that it was representative because it covered a larger geographical area. Moreover, this study tried to identify almost all determinants of birth asphyxia, which were modifiable with quality prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care, and by adhering to national guidelines of obstetrics and neonatal care. On the other hand, since this study was cross-sectional, it could not identify causation, and the sampling method included only neonates admitted to NICUs. This study did not elaborate on the management and clinical outcomes of these asphyxia neonates.

Conclusion

In this study, one in every five neonates was affected by birth asphyxia. Instrumental delivery, PIH, PROM, and chorioamnionitis were identified as determinants of perinatal asphyxia. In this study, almost all determinants of birth asphyxia were modifiable with quality prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care and by adhering to national guidelines of obstetrics and neonatal care.

Statements

Data availability statement

The datasets used for analysis are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics statement

The studies involving human participants were reviewed, and ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Haramaya University, College of Health and Medical Sciences (Ref. No. IHRERC/105/2021). Written informed consent to participate in this study was provided by the participants’ legal guardian/next of kin.

Author contributions

SA: Conceptualization, supervision, investigation, methodology, data curation, formal analysis, and writing—review and editing. MD: Conceptualization, methodology, supervision, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing, and read and approved the final manuscript. YD: Conceptualization, methodology, supervision, writing—original draft, and writing—review and editing. BE: Conceptualization, methodology, writing—original draft, and writing—review and editing. BB: Conceptualization, methodology, writing—original draft, writing—review and editing, and read and approved the final manuscript. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude to Haramaya University for permitting them to conduct this study. The authors express their gratitude to our data collectors for their invaluable efforts; without them, this study would not have been completed. In addition, the authors are grateful to the study subjects, who volunteered and took the time to provide them with all of the necessary information for the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

References

Summary

Keywords

birth asphyxia, determinants, management, Harari, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Citation

Amsalu S, Dheresa M, Dessie Y, Eshetu B and Balis B (2023) Birth asphyxia, determinants, and its management among neonates admitted to NICU in Harari and Dire Dawa Public Hospitals, eastern Ethiopia. Front. Pediatr. 10:966630. doi: 10.3389/fped.2022.966630

Received

26 July 2022

Accepted

30 November 2022

Published

16 January 2023

Volume

10 - 2022

Edited by

Jing Liu, Capital Medical University, China

Reviewed by

Tanushree Sahoo, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar, India Cheng Cai, Shanghai Children's Hospital, China

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Bikila Balis

Specialty Section: This article was submitted to Neonatology, a section of the journal Frontiers in Pediatrics

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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