Maternal and neonatal infections are critical public health issues, with a pronounced impact in developing nations such as Benin. A retrospective investigation conducted in 2022 tracked these infections’ frequency and determining factors, using relevant data from six key hospitals in the country.
The study scrutinized 123 neonatal cases with infection suspicion, evaluating birth weight, breastfeeding behavior, clinical delivery conditions, and laboratory-verified infection rates. Results demonstrate that 32% of suspected cases were indeed infections, with an increased incidence among premature infants and those born in certain hospitals. This study thus calls for enhanced diagnostic facilities, improved infection control strategies, and heightened awareness among caregivers and pregnant women.
Maternal and neonatal infections account for significant adverse health consequences for both mother and child. Both parties are at a substantial infection risk during pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period. Indeed, neonatal infections, caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal pathogens, lead to conditions such as neonatal sepsis and pneumonia, contributing approximately 24% to the 2.3 million neonatal deaths within the initial 28 days of life, each year. Distressingly, sepsis is a factor in 40% of infection-related neonatal deaths and 10% of maternal deaths worldwide.
Various physiological changes during pregnancy can enhance the severity of these infections resulting in complications such as preterm labour, maternal morbidity, and fetal distress. Consequently, approximately 75,000 pregnant women succumb to sepsis annually. Bacterial pathogens primarily spearhead these infections while sub-Saharan Africa experiences the highest neonatal mortality rates globally.
In Benin, the maternal and neonatal mortality rates significantly contrast with global averages. Yet, the country’s national rate remains stable, pointing to a fragmented view offered by sporadic hospital studies. Thus, a more organized, nationwide examination is crucial for a better understanding to devise focused strategies for infection frequency reduction.
The retrospective study involved examining records from the maternity and neonatology wards of six major hospitals from various regions in Benin for the year 2022. The study approved a sample size of 123 neonates based on the availability of appropriate candidates during the study period across different hospitals.
The investigators collected various data points for both neonates and pregnant women, and the collected data was strictly checked for inconsistencies and errors with data re-collection when necessary. Subsequently, data cleaning activities were carried out following stringent quality control measures.
From the study’s findings, most newborns were full-term, and immediate breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth was a practice prevalent in 93% of cases indicating a high adherence to recommended breastfeeding practices. It was found that 90% of newborns showed no severe jaundice, a characteristic symptom of neonatal infection and 92% did not experience asphyxia at birth, suggesting favourable respiratory and oxygenation outcomes. However, it is noteworthy that from the total number of suspected cases selected in this study, 27% diagnosed with infections at birth.