[Neonatal mortality and morbidity in newborn newborns of single mothers]

Newborns of single mothers constitute a high risk population for intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR) and neonatal mortality.

Our study analysed the influence of this socio-economic factor on neonatal mortality and morbidity.

A retrospective cohort compiling all births resulting from illegitimate pregnancies reported between January 2001 and December 2003 at the Charles Nicolle hospital (Tunis-Tunisia) "IG = illegimate group" (n=75), apparied for mothers gestity, parity and age, to 75 legitimate births "LG=legitimate group" reported after or before each illegitimate birth.

The mean age for mothers in the "IG" was 24.3 years. The mean of prenatal consultations was 0.5 in the "IG" vs. 5.2 in the "LG" (p < 0.001). Delivery by caesarean section was of 6.7% in the "IG" vs. 18.7% in the "LG" (p = 0.049). Prematurity was observed in 17% in the "IG" vs. 8% in "LG". IUGR was observed in 29% of "IG" vs. 4% in "LG" (p < 0.001). Neonatal mortality was of 4.1% in "IG" vs. 1.3% in "LG".

These results indicate the importance of illegitimate pregnancies as a demographic risk factor of neonatal morbidity. The IUGR was the most significant risk factor associated to illegitimate pregnancies.