title: Neonatal respiratory distress in a reference neonatal unit in Cameroon: an analysis of prevalence, predictors, etiologies and outcomes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neonatal respiratory distress (NRD) is a main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Early detection of its risk factors and early treatment of its etiologies are major challenges. However, few studies in developing countries have provided data needed to tackle it. We aimed to determine the prevalence, predictors, etiologies and outcome of NRD in a tertiary health care centre of Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the hospital files of all newborns admitted to the Neonatal unit of Douala General Hospital from 1(st) January 2011 to 28(th) February 2013. NRD was diagnosed based on the presence of one or more of the following signs: an abnormal respiratory rate, expiratory grunting, nasal flaring, chest wall recessions and thoraco-abdominal asynchrony with or without cyanosis, in their files. Socio-demographic and clinical variables of newborns and their mothers were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of NRD was 47.5% out of the 703 newborns studied. Acute fetal distress, elective caesarean delivery, APGAR score < 7 at the 1(st) minute, prematurity, male gender and macrosomia were independent predictors of NRD. The main etiologies were neonatal infections (31%) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (25%). Its neonatal mortality rate was 24.5%, mainly associated with neonatal sepsis and hyaline membrane disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NRD is a frequent emergency and causes high morbidity and mortality. Most of its risk factors and etiologies are preventable. Adequate follow-up of pregnancy and labor for timely intervention may improve the neonatal outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Joel Noutakdie
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Tochie
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon; Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Group, Douala, Cameroon; Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Simeon-Pierre
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Choukem
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Muna Memorial Clinic, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Regina Ndasi
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Langmia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barla
authors.affiliation: Mother and Child Centre, Chantal Biya Foundation, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koki-Ndombo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006819:Hyaline Membrane Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071074:Neonatal Sepsis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cameroon; Neonatal respiratory distress; etiologies; outcomes; predictors; prevalence