Clinical, Aetiological and Evolutionary Aspects of Respiratory Distress in Term Neonates: A Single-Centre Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Respiratory distress is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. The aim of this study was to assess its frequency and describe its clinical and evolutionary characteristics in the neonatology department of the Gabriel Touré University Hospital in Bamako. Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021. All term neonates aged 0 to 28 days hospitalised with signs of respiratory distress (tachypnoea, nasal flaring, expiratory whining, intercostal and subcostal indrawing, xiphoid funneling and cyanosis) were included. The sociodemographic and clinical variables of the newborns and their mothers were analysed using SPSS.20 software. Results: During the study period, 1272 newborns were admitted to hospital, including 705 born at term, of whom 188 were included in the study. The mothers’ ages ranged from 14 to 45 years, with an average of 24 years. The pregnancy was not followed up in 15% of cases. Newborns were resuscitated at birth in 51% of cases. The main clinical signs observed were hypoxia, neurological disorders and fever. Perinatal asphyxia (55%), neonatal infections (34%) and congenital malformations (6%) were the main causes of respiratory distress. Mortality was estimated at 37%. Conclusion: Neonatal respiratory distress is a major cause of death. Most causes can be avoided if pregnancy and delivery are properly managed.