[Determinants of perinatal mortality in premature newborns in university clinics in Kinshasa]

Neonatal mortality is a sensitive indicator of the availability, use and effectiveness of obstetric and neonatal care. Prematurity is the leading cause of death in the neonatal period. In the DRC, prematurity remains a major public health problem. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of perinatal mortality premature to university clinics in Kinshasa.

This was a cross-sectional study involving 192 preterm infants to university clinics in Kinshasa from January 2009 to December 2011. Perinatal mortality premature to university clinics was estimated and logistic regression was used to identify the determinants.

During the study period, premature mortality was 15.2% (95% CI 9.7 to 20.7). Determinants of perinatal mortality were: the birth weight of less than 1500g (OR: 5.66, 95% CI 1.87 to 17.1, p = 0.002) and gestational age. The premature 28 to 31 were more likely to die prematurely compared to 34 to 36 weeks gestation (OR 5.58, 95% CI: 1.23 to 25.3, p = 0.026) as well as premature of 32 to 33 were more likely to die prematurely compared to 34 to 36 weeks gestation (OR 6.46, 95% CI: 1.55 to 26.9, p = 0.01).

Given its status as the tertiary level, a strengthening of technical support university clinics in Kinshasa is of prime importance for the care of premature infants, especially prématurisim and those with less than 1500 g.