Psychomotor development at 9 months of age in infants with perinatal asphyxia at the Mother and Child University Hospital of Libreville (Gabon) in 2023

Authors

  • Aude M. L. Mikolo University of Health Sciences of Libreville, Mother and Child University Hospital, Jeanne Ebori Foundation of Libreville, Gabon https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6722-0042
  • Raissa K. Maniaga University of Health Sciences of Libreville, Mother and Child University Hospital, Jeanne Ebori Foundation of Libreville, Gabon
  • Gessica M. N. Matoumba University of Health Sciences of Libreville, Mother and Child University Hospital, Jeanne Ebori Foundation of Libreville, Gabon
  • Jules Tsafack Mother and Child University Hospital, Jeanne Ebori Foundation of Libreville, Gabon
  • Edmée M. M. Nkama University of Health Sciences of Libreville, Mother and Child University Hospital, Jeanne Ebori Foundation of Libreville, Gabon
  • Morgane Mboungani University of Health Sciences of Libreville, Mother and Child University Hospital, Jeanne Ebori Foundation of Libreville, Gabon
  • Eliane K. Kamgaing University of Health Sciences of Libreville, Mother and Child University Hospital, Jeanne Ebori Foundation of Libreville, Gabon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4594-2582
  • Simon Ategbo University of Health Sciences of Libreville, Mother and Child University Hospital, Jeanne Ebori Foundation of Libreville, Gabon

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20260393

Keywords:

Asphyxia, Hypoxia, Hypothermia, Encephalopathy, Libreville

Abstract

Background: Perinatal asphyxia (PNA) is a common condition in neonatology. Objective of the study was to describe the short- and medium-term outcome of newborns presenting with PNA at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mère-Enfant Fondation Jeanne Ebori (CHUME-FJE) in 2022.

Methods: A prospective longitudinal and analytical study was conducted over a 16-month period. Newborns were included, regardless of gestational age, had presented with PNA. The statistical significance threshold was set at p<0.05.

Results: 96/464 newborns hospitalized for PNA (20.7%). The sex ratio was 1.26. The mean resuscitation time was 9.1±7.1 min. Neurological complications accounted for 73.3% (n=63), with an AEI classified as Sarnat II (27.0%) and Sarnat III (22.2%). The mean hospital stay was 12.6 days. The overall death rate was 32.6%. During the course of the study, 50.0% of infants recovered to normal weight for their age at 9 months and a proportion of 7.7% presented with PML developmental delay and 11.5% with PCVM taking into account the corrected age for preterm newborns.

Conclusion: APN remains a public health problem in sub-Saharan countries with high neonatal mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae. Prevention of this condition relies on better monitoring of pregnancy and delivery and a training program for healthcare personnel in newborn resuscitation in the delivery room.

 

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Published

2026-02-21

How to Cite

Mikolo, A. M. L., Maniaga, R. K., Matoumba, G. M. N., Tsafack, J., Nkama, E. M. M., Mboungani, M., Kamgaing, E. K., & Ategbo , S. (2026). Psychomotor development at 9 months of age in infants with perinatal asphyxia at the Mother and Child University Hospital of Libreville (Gabon) in 2023. International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 13(3), 367–374. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20260393

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Original Research Articles