Assessment of the obstetrical and anthropometric parameters of women in labor and their newborns at a tribal health center in northern Côte D'ivoire

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlations between obstetrical and anthropometrical parameters of women in labor and the anthropometrical features (weight, height, and cranial perimeters) of their newborns instantly after deliverance at a tribal health center in the northern Côte d’Ivoire. Methods: It is a descriptive prospective and analytical study carried during five months at the maternity department of the tribal health center of Tioroniaradougou in the rural area of Korhogo, including 201 women in labor and their 202 newborns. Data were collected by the help of the medical team of the maternity of the center through an anthropometrical survey with two of the subject categories and structured individual interview with the mothers. Then, collected data were submitted to a multivariate statistical analysis with the purpose to link mother obstetrical and anthropometrical features with the newborn anthropometric characteristics. Results: findings exhibited an apparent correlation on the one hand between (i) newborn cranial perimeters, newborn weight and mother weight as well as between (ii) mother weight and newborn weight (p˂0.1). Results also revealed a significant correlation between mothers’ age, number of living-born children and pregnancies’ number (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression model as well as Chi squared test exhibited a significant predicting relationship between both newborn cranial perimeter and height parameters (p<0.05) and excluded the combination of both mother weight and height features as an acceptable factors in predicting child anthropometrical status (p = 0.45) as opposed to mother correct vaccine status and as well negative HIV/AID Sstatus (x-squared = 168, p = 0.01). Conclusions: as a whole, this survey suggested that maternal medical, obstetric and anthropometric parameters are reliable factors in explaining and predicting anthropometric status of newborns. Indeed, it shown that mother’s age, height, weight and number of contracted pregnancies and as well correct mother vaccine status are satisfactory predictive parameters on the outcome of the pregnancy.