Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
To determine the prevalence, predictors and case fatality risk of hypothermia among neonates in Lira district, Northern Uganda.Setting
Three subcounties of Lira district in Northern Uganda.Design
This was a community-based cross-sectional study nested in a cluster randomised controlled trial.Participants
Mother-baby pairs enrolled in a cluster randomised controlled trial. An axillary temperature was taken during a home visit using a lithium battery-operated digital thermometer.Primary and secondary outcomes
The primary outcome measure was the prevalence of hypothermia. Hypothermia was defined as mild if the axillary temperature was 36.0°C to <36.5°C, moderate if the temperature was 32.0°C to <36.0°C and severe hypothermia if the temperature was <32.0°C. The secondary outcome measure was the case fatality risk of neonatal hypothermia. Predictors of moderate to severe hypothermia were determined using a generalised estimating equation model for the Poisson family.Results
We recruited 1330 neonates. The prevalence of hypothermia (<36.5°C) was 678/1330 (51.0%, 95%?CI 46.9 to 55.1). Overall, 32% (429/1330), 95%?CI 29.5 to 35.2 had mild hypothermia, whereas 18.7% (249/1330), 95%?CI 15.8 to 22.0 had moderate hypothermia. None had severe hypothermia. At multivariable analysis, predictors of neonatal hypothermia included: home birth (adjusted prevalence ratio, aPR, 1.9, 95%?CI 1.4 to 2.6); low birth weight (aPR 1.7, 95%?CI 1.3 to 2.3) and delayed breastfeeding initiation (aPR 1.2, 95%?CI 1.0 to 1.5). The case fatality risk ratio of hypothermic compared with normothermic neonates was 2.0 (95% CI 0.60 to 6.9).Conclusion
The prevalence of neonatal hypothermia was very high, demonstrating that communities in tropical climates should not ignore neonatal hypothermia. Interventions designed to address neonatal hypothermia should consider ways of reaching neonates born at home and those with low birth weight. The promotion of early breastfeeding initiation and skin-to-skin care could reduce the risk of neonatal hypothermia.Trial registration number
ClinicalTrial.gov as NCT02605369.
SUBMITTER: Mukunya D
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7880091 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Mukunya David D Tumwine James K JK Nankabirwa Victoria V Odongkara Beatrice B Tongun Justin B JB Arach Agnes A AA Tumuhamye Josephine J Napyo Agnes A Zalwango Vivian V Achora Vicentina V Musaba Milton W MW Ndeezi Grace G Tylleskär Thorkild T
BMJ open 20210211 2
<h4>Objective</h4>To determine the prevalence, predictors and case fatality risk of hypothermia among neonates in Lira district, Northern Uganda.<h4>Setting</h4>Three subcounties of Lira district in Northern Uganda.<h4>Design</h4>This was a community-based cross-sectional study nested in a cluster randomised controlled trial.<h4>Participants</h4>Mother-baby pairs enrolled in a cluster randomised controlled trial. An axillary temperature was taken during a home visit using a lithium battery-opera ...[more]