Malaria among febrile neonates attending the neonatology unit of the Bamenda regional hospital

Abstract

Malaria remains the leading cause of infant's mortality in malaria endemic countries like Cameroon. Due to the presence of passively acquired maternal antibodies, malaria in neonates was thought to be scarce. Consequently routine malaria checks are mostly not considered for febrile neonates. Nonetheless findings from malaria endemic areas have proven that malaria in neonates is not uncommon. This study is therefore designed to evaluate malaria among febrile neonates attending the neonatology unit of the Bamenda Regional Hospital. A structured questionnaire and laboratory diagnostic test methods were used for data collection. Maternal sociodemographic data and malaria predisposing factors for neonates with and without malaria were determined using sums and percentages of mean. Regression analysis was used to determine the effects of age of mother, parity, mother's educational level, sex of neonate and malaria predisposing factors on malaria parasitaemia. Chi-square (and Fisher's exact) test was used to calculate sensitivity (%), specificity (%), predictive values (%), likelihood ratios, odd ratios, relative risk and attributable risk. A total of 189 neonates were included in the study out of which 33 (17.46%) tested malaria positive. 54.55% (18/33) of the malaria positive neonates were˃ 3 - 4 weeks old, while only 09.09% (03/33) were within 0 - 1 week of age. Neonates who presented with both signs of "fever + refusal to feed" were found to be most likely (P = 0.0188) to test malaria positive. Based on these findings routine malaria test is recommended especially for all neonates who presents with both signs of "fever + refusal to feed", in malaria endemic regions.

Keywords: Fever; Malaria; Neonates; Predisposing factors; Refusal to feed.