Introduction: Anemia is common in premature newborns. The objective of this study was to examine the epidemiological aspects and associated factors with anemia in premature newborns at the Issaka Gazoby Maternity Hospital of Niamey in 2023. PatientsandMethods: This was a case-control study conducted from January to June 2023 at the Issaka Gazoby Maternity Hospital in Niamey. The “cases” were newborns with anemia, and the “controls” were newborns with normal hemoglobin levels. The Odds Ratio and its Confidence Interval were calculated to measure the association. Results: Of the 617 premature newborns admitted during the study period, 158 cases of anemia were found (25.6%). Anemia was severe in 9.5% of newborns. The sex ratio was 1.6. The main clinical signs on admission were pallor (69.4%) and respiratory distress (59.3%). Associated factors related to perinatal characteristics were pregnancy monitoring with more than 4 prenatal consultations (OR = 0.56; CI [0.37 - 0.86]; p = 0.01), malaria prophylaxis (OR = 0.34; CI [0.20 - 0.60]; p < 0.01), and iron and folic acid supplementation (OR = 0.59; CI [0.36 - 0.97]; p = 0.04). The associated neonatal characteristics were birth before 33 weeks of gestational age (OR = 1.7; CI [1.16 - 2.51]; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Anemia is a major cause of hospitalization in premature newborn. Associated factors included good prenatal care, iron and folic acid supplementation, and malaria prophylaxis, suggesting that these strategies should be reinforced.
References
[1]
Strauss, R.G. (2010) Anaemia of Prematurity: Pathophysiology and Treatment. BloodReviews, 24, 221-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.blre.2010.08.001
[2]
World Health Organization (2023) Born Too Soon: Decade of Action on Preterm Birth. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240073890
[3]
World Health Organization (2023) Preterm Birth. WHO. https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/preterm-birth
[4]
Widness, J.A. (2008) Pathophysiology of Anemia during the Neonatal Period, Including Anemia of Prematurity. NeoReviews, 9, e520-e525. https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.9-11-e520
[5]
Dick-Amon-Tanoh, F., Lasme-Guillao, B.E., Nguessan, R., Ble, R.K., Akaffou, A.E. and Cardenat, M. (2011) Anemie du premature et pratiques transfusionnelles au centre hospitalo-universitaire de yopougon à abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. ClinicsinMotherandChildHealth, 8, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.4303/cmch/c110201
[6]
Tasseau, A. and Rigourd, V. (2004) Anémie néonatale précoce: Orientation diagnostique. JournaldePédiatrieetdePuériculture, 17, 198-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpp.2004.04.008
[7]
Villar, J., Ismail, L.C., Victora, C.G., Ohuma, E.O., Bertino, E., Altman, D.G., et al. (2014) International Standards for Newborn Weight, Length, and Head Circumference by Gestational Age and Sex: The Newborn Cross-Sectional Study of the Intergrowth-21st Project. TheLancet, 384, 857-868. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(14)60932-6
[8]
Lasme Guillao, E., N’Guessan, R. and Amon-Tanoh Dick, F. (2011) Prise en charge de l’anémie chez le nouveau-né prématuré en milieu hospitalier à Abidjan. Revue Internationale des Sciences Médicales, 13, 45-48.
[9]
Ahanda, L., Sandie, A.B., Koki Ndombo, P.O. and Njom Nlend, A.E. (2020) Aspects épidémiologiques, thérapeutiques et pronostiques de l’anémie du prématuré au centre hospitalier d’Essos, Yaoundé, Cameroun. JournaldePédiatrieetdePuériculture, 33, 279-285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpp.2020.06.005
[10]
Boiro, D., Seck, N., Thiam, L., Basse, I., Ndongo, A.A., Sow, A., et al. (2021) Les nouveau-nés prématurés de moins de 1000 grammes: Morbidité et mortalité en milieu hospitalier à Dakar (Sénégal). PAMJClinicalMedicine, 7, Article 30. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj-cm.2021.7.30.29923
[11]
Eliane, K.K., Steeve, M.O.R., Mylène, M., Angella, M., Raissa, K.M., Uurich, B. and al. (2018) Aspects épidémiologiques et thérapeutiques de l’anémie néonatale au Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire d’Angondje-Gabon. Journal de la Société de Biologie Clinique du Bénin, 28, 52-59.
[12]
World Health Organization (2024) WHO Recommendations for the Care of Premature or Low Birth Weight Infants. WHO.
[13]
Ohls, R.K. (2002) Human Recombinant Erythropoietin in the Prevention and Treatment of Anemia of Prematurity. PediatricDrugs, 4, 111-121. https://doi.org/10.2165/00128072-200204020-00004
[14]
Dicky, O., Ehlinger, V., Guyard-Boileau, B., Assouline, C., Arnaud, C. and Casper, C. (2017) Clampage tardif du cordon ombilical chez les enfants prématurés nés avant 37 semaines d’aménorrhée: Étude observationnelle prospective. ArchivesdePédiatrie, 24, 118-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcped.2016.11.006
[15]
Otshinga Loseke, D., Telonga Otshudi, E., Yema Shongo, D., Mukandu Basua Babintu, L. and Nswele Ilundu, O. (2025) Déterminants du suivi incomplet des visites prénatales dans la zone de santé de Kintambo, Kinshasa/RD Congo. RevuedesSciencesdelaSante, 4, 51-59. https://doi.org/10.71004/rss.025.v4.i1.38
[16]
Word Health Organization (2016) WHO Recommendations on Antenatal Care for a Positive Pregnancy Experience. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-RHR-18.02
[17]
Word Health Organization (2017) Implementation of Malaria Programs during Pregnancy in the Context of World Health Organization (WHO) Recommendations on Prenatal Care to Ensure that Pregnancy Is a Positive Experience. WHO. https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/259947/WHO-RHR-18.02-eng.pdf
[18]
Guillaume, M., Riquet, S., Zakarian, C. and Comte, F. (2020) Supplémentations en fer, acide folique, vitamine D pendant la grossesse: Observance des patientes. SantéPublique, 32, 161-170. https://doi.org/10.3917/spub.202.0161
[19]
Mah, E.M., Tague, D.A.K., Yondjeu, O.J., Nkwelle, I.M., Nengom, J.T., Meguieze, C.A., et al. (2021) Determinants of Anemia in Premature Newborns and the Immediate Outcome at the Mother and Child Center of the Chantal BIYA Foundation, Cameroon. TheJournalofMedicalResearch, 7, 146-149. https://doi.org/10.31254/jmr.2021.7506
[20]
Eyebe, C.N.A., Ateba, G.N., Mandari, M.K., Essola, J., Eyebe, S., Sida, M.B., et al. (2025) Hematological Abnormalities on New-Borns et Their First Day of Extrauterine Life in Yaounde. HealthResearch in Africa, 3, 75-80.
[21]
Koum, D.K., Essomba, N.E., Epane, M.G.N., Mangamba, L.M.E. and Ndombo, P.K. (2018) Profil épidémiologique, clinique, biologique et évolutif de l’anémie néonatale à l’hôpital de district de Bonassama/Douala, Cameroun. Health Sciences Discovery, 19, 11-14.
[22]
von Lindern, J.S. and Lopriore, E. (2014) Management and Prevention of Neonatal Anemia: Current Evidence and Guidelines. ExpertReviewofHematology, 7, 195-202. https://doi.org/10.1586/17474086.2014.878225
