Prevalence and Associated Factors of Anemia among Newborns at Jimma Medical Center, South-west Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Newborn anemia is among the most common hematological problems and it can cause asymptomatic or severe to acute life-threatening events. It leads to impairment in brain maturation and development, tissue hypoxia, and stunted growth and then arrested growth if left untreated. The prevalence of anemia among newborns ranges from 23.4–66% in sub-Saharan Africa. But, there is limited information in Ethiopia regarding the prevalence of newborn anemia and its risk factors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of newborn anemia and its associated factors at Jimma Medical Center (JMC), South-west Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was implemented from January 14 to February 28, 2021, involving 288 full-term newborns by employing consecutive convenient sampling technique for study participant selection. Socio-demographic data and other associated factors were collected through interviews and a review of medical records by a structured questionnaire. Three mL umbilical cord blood samples from each newborn were collected and analyzed for a complete blood count by an automated hematological analyzer. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 for analysis. Binary logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of newborn anemia.

Results

The overall prevalence of anemia among newborns was 26.4%; of them, 65.8%, 25%, and 9.2% were mild, moderate, and severe anemia types, respectively. Maternal vegetable consumption habit (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.62) and maternal anemia (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.69) were significantly associated with anemia in newborns.

Conclusion

In general, newborn anemia in this study was a moderate public health problem. Based on this study, early screening of anemia among newborns may reduce further complications. Prevention of maternal anemia during pregnancy by improving their nutritional status especially vegetable consumption had a positive impact on reducing anemia among newborns.

Keywords:

• newborn
• anemia
• Jimma
• Ethiopia

Abbreviations

AOR, Adjusted odds ratio; CBC, Complete blood count; g/ dl, Gram per deciliter; Hgb, Hemoglobin; HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus; JMC, Jimma Medical Center; LBW, Low birth weight; MCH, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin; MCHC, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration; MCV, Mean Corpuscular Volume; MUAC, Mid-Upper Arm Circumference; RBC, Red Blood Cell; RDW, Red Cell Distribution Width; WBC, White blood cell; WHO, World Health Organization.

Data Sharing Statement

All important data are within the manuscript but the datasets used during analysis are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request (in SPSS code).

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional review board (IRB) of Jimma University, Institute of Health with letter protocol number IHRPGD928/20 and our research protocol meets ethical standards outlined by the declaration of Helsinki, national and international guidelines. After ethical approval was received, permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Head of the School of Medical Laboratory Science and the chief clinical director of the JMC.

Written informed consent was obtained from each mother for participation in this study after explaining the objective and purpose of the study. All methods include umbilical cord blood sample collection from newborns were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations that meets national and international guidelines as approved by an appropriate ethics committee. Any abnormal hematological test results of study subject were communicated to their attending physician immediately proper management and treatment.

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Hematology and Immunohematology unit of Jimma Medical Center, Jimma University, study participants, data collectors and other individuals who directly or indirectly contributed to this study.

Disclosure

The authors reported that they have no competing interests and no need of consent for publication.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no specific funding for this study.