[Transfer and transport of newborn babies in vital distress in Yaoundé, Cameroon: situational analysis conducted in a reference hospital].

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to describe transfer modalities of newborn babies in vital distress to the ESSOS Hospital Center in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study from October 2014 to January 2015. Data were collected using a short questionnaire from the transfer operator. Main parameters: means of transport, reason for transfer, transfer delay, number of detours (itinerary before admission) prevalence for hypothermia, neonatal mortality rate.

RESULTS

We recorded 73 transfers during the study period. Nearly 1/5 (22%) of infants were born within the health district of the reference structure. 24/73 newborns were referred for tertiary care centers (33%). The main reason for transfer was prematurity (40%) followed by neonatal asphyxia (26%). Medical transfer was performed in 5/73 (7%) cases, inter-hospital transfer effected through a nurse was performed in 10/73 (13.6%) cases. The average transfer time was 17 hours, 60% of babies were transferred within the first 6 hours of life, 22% (16/73) within the first two hours of life. For more than half of newborns, a transfer to another hospital was done before admission. Hypothermia (central temperature less than 36° C) on arrival was found in 20% of cases. 15/73 (20.5%) of transferred newborns died. The mean temperature in the dead infants upon their arrival to the hospital was 35.5° C versus 37° C in the non-deceased (p = 0.006). The percentage of newborns who underwent =2 tranfers was 57% in the deceased infants versus 30% in the non-deceased ones (p=0,02).

CONCLUSION

In Yaoundé, transfers conditions of newborns in precarious conditions of life hinder early neonatal prognosis because of an erratic itinerary, which increases the risk of hypothermia and death. This reinforces the need for a perinatal network.