PERINATAL MORBIDITY AT THE MOI TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, ELDORET

Abstract

Background: Perinatal morbidity (PNM) is highest in the developing countries including
Kenya. Studies on the perinatal morbidity in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH)
have not been carried out. Furthermore, factors associated with PNM are unknown at the
MTRH.
Objective: To establish the causes and incidence of perinatal morbidity at the MTRH
NewBorn Unit (NBU).
Design: A retrospective study using case notes.
Setting: The NBU of the MTRH in Eldoret, Kenya.
Subjects: Babies who were admitted to the MTRH's Newborn Unit from January to
December 1997.
Results: The perinatal morbidity was 667 per 1000 babies admitted to the NBU. The most
common reason for admission was mother under anaesthesia. The most common cause of
morbidity was asphyxia. The mean maternal age was 24 years. The mean level of education
was 1.7 years. More than fifty five per cent of the mothers were housewives. The mean
birthweight was 2.75 kg (B.9 SD), 55.9 % had normal birthweight, 37 % were low birthweight
and three per cent were large babies. The mean duration of stay in the NBU was 3.8 days.
Conclusion: Most of the admissioas were Caesarean section babies who did not require
admission. Younger mothers were more likely to have babies with neonatal sepsis,convulsions,
pneumonia and asphyxia.