Nutritional Status of Pregnant Women and Neonatal Health in the Maternity Wards of the City of Parakou in Benin

Introduction: Few studies are interested to perinatal health in relation to the nutritional status of pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors associated with newborn weight in the city of Parakou in 2017. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical prospective study conducted on 205 pregnant women and their newborns in the maternity wards of the city of Parakou from 1st July to 30th September, 2016. The authors have determined the Body Mass Index (BMI), the GWG, and the anthropometric profile of newborns. The Chi-square test and the prevalence ratios were used to compare the variables with the 0.05 p-value threshold. Results: The prevalence of obese, overweight and lean pregnant women was respectively 9.8%, 21.5% and 9.3%. The proportions of pregnant women who had normal or high GWG were respectively 48.8% and 41.9%. Almost half the lean pregnant women (47.4%) had not reached a normal GWG. The prevalence of hypotrophic, normotrophic and hypertrophic newborns was respectively 7.8%, 27.8% and 64.4%. Newborn hypotrophy was associated with socio-economic well-being level (OR=21.1; p=0.000), BMI, GWG, and Physical Activity Level of pregnant women (p<0.05). Newborn hypertrophy was associated with obesity, excessive GWG, and low level of physical activity of pregnant women. Conclusion: The nutritional status of the pregnant woman is associated with the weight of the newborn.