Epidemiology of Apnea in Preterm Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children Hospital in Kabul City: An Analytic Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Prematurity is one of the leading causes of neonatal death in Afghanistan and complicates a lot of serious problems including apnea. Although recurrent and prolong apnea may be directly or indirectly associated with significant adverse outcomes, there isn’t enough scientific information regarding the incidence and pattern of this problem in Afghanistan, therefore, this study is performed to obtain such information. Objective: To find the incidence rate and pattern of apnea in premature neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children Hospital, Kabul City.Method: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children Hospital in Kabul city, Afghanistan. All the preterm babies admitted during the study period were included in this research. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 20. Results: A total of 75 preterm newborns were enrolled in this study and the apnea attacks were developed in 48% of them. Extremely low birth weight preterm neonates had a 71.4% incidence rate of apnea, while in very low birth weight and low birth weight the rates were 47.4% and 36.4% respectively. Based on gestational age, the incidence rates of apnea in the early and moderate preterm neonates were 55.6% and 52.8% respectively, whilst also in late preterm neonates it was 42.8%. The apnea appeared more prevalent in boys (54.3%) than girls (45.7%). The median ages for the onset and duration of apnea were 2 and 6 days respectively. The preterm neonates in the apnea group versus the non-apnea group had the mean birth weight of (1233.33±235.25g vs 1333.46 ±274.44g, 90%CI= -198 _ -1.4) and mean maternal age of (24.78±3.68y vs 26.62 ±4.58y ,90%CI= -3.44_-0.23). Conclusion: The overall incidence rate of apnea in preterm neonates was 48% and the highest rates were seen within extremely low birth weight and early preterm neonates. In most cases, the apnea has commenced on the second day of life and has lasted for six days. The lower neonatal birth weight and young maternal age were found to be the risk factors of apnea in preterm neonates.