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Aims To evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of small for gestation age (SGA) neonates admitted to a neonatal unit born SGA and the impact of SGA on outcomes. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was undertaken. The data was collected from July 2013 up to September 2017 using the Rwanda Neonatal Database (NDB). We defined SGA neonates as birth weight less than 10th percentile by gender using Alexander reference population US national reference. The primary outcome was mortality. Results 1184 admitted neonates have been included in the study, of which 444 (38%) were SGA. SGA neonates had increased the risks of mortality (16% vs 13%) (AOR=2.0, CI: 1.1–3.5, p=0.01). SGA neonates had a longer length-of-stay (LoS) (5.3 days versus 2.2 days, p=0.001). Conclusion SGA is a common indication for admission and is associated with significantly increased mortality and length of stay. Neonatal mortality continues to be significant in Rwanda and globally. Improved maternal antenatal care along with bespoke neonatal care could see improvements in outcomes for these high-risk neonates. Table 1: Significant risk factors and outcomes for SGA. more...

Aims This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypothermia, risk factors and outcomes of in admitted neonates at the Neonatology Unit of a tertiary teaching hospital in Rwanda. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional study was performed. Hypothermia was defined, as per the WHO, as an admission temperature of Results 1021 infants were included in the analysis. Hypothermia was found in 280 neonates (27%). Multivariate analysis identified that gestation, mode of delivery and place of birth were statistically significantly associated with hypothermia. Gestation Conclusion Thermal protection of the neonate is paramount in order to reduce neonatal mortality. Thermal protection measures such as the WHO 10-steps are well described. Education and quality improvement initiatives are required to reduce the prevalence and associated outcomes. Awareness and education about the risks for hypothermia can allow targeted intervention to those at risk (e.g. prematurity and SGA infants). more...