Faced with unprecedented socio-health challenges, the health of the newborn is more than ever a
major concern in Burkina Faso. Anemia contributes to high hospital morbidity in newborns. The
objective was to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated with anemia in newborns.
We conducted a cross-sectional study including term newborns from 0 to 7 days of life, hospitalized
in the pediatric department of CHU Yalgado Ouedraogo (CHU YO) from January 1, 2016 to
December 31, 2018. Factors associated with anemia were identified by logistic regression.
A total of 797 newborns were included in this study. The prevalence of anemia was 35% (277/797).
The median age of mothers was 26 years (IIQ: 22-31). The median weight of newborns was 3000
grams (IIQ: 2760-3300). In the multivariate analysis, having a mother whose age was missing
(Adjusted odds ratio [ORa]: 1.65, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.16-2.34), being born by
cesarean section ( ORa: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.17-2.20, the presence of hyperthermia (ORa: 2.14; IC95%:
1.44-3.20), respiratory distress (ORa: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.07-2.40) or jaundice (ORa: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.67-
4.34) as well as not having received vitamin K1 at admission (aOR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.01-2.58),
significantly increased the risk of anemia in newborns. Better monitoring of mothers and appropriate care for newborns,would reduce the frequency of anemia during the early neonatal period in the Burkinabe context.
Anemia; Newborn; Factors; Burkina Faso