Table 1.
Patient characteristics and vital signs of admissions.
| Characteristics | Findings | n | Missing n (%) | Complete (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics | ||||
| Gender, n (%) | 2,732 | 0 | 100 | |
| Female | 1,208 (44.2) | |||
| Male | 1,521 (55.7) | |||
| Not sure (ambiguous genitalia) | 3 (0.1) | |||
| Age, n (%) | 2,215 | 517 (19) | 81 | |
| <48 h | 1,848 (67.6) | |||
| >48 h | 367 (13.4) | |||
| Type of birth, n (%) | 2,732 | 0 | 100 | |
| Singletons | 2,322 (85.0) | |||
| Twins | 389 (14.2) | |||
| Triplets | 21 (0.8) | |||
| Admitted from, n (%) | 2,732 | 0 | 100 | |
| Within Kamuzu Central Hospital | 1,090 (39.9) | |||
| Outside Kamuzu Central Hospital | 1,642 (60.1) | |||
| Weight and gestation | ||||
| Birth weight (g), n (%) | 2,535 | 197 (7.2) | 92.8 | |
| Mean (SD) | 2,392 (886.2) | |||
| Median (IQR) | 1,622 (2,400–3,100) | |||
| Range | 500–5,500 | |||
| <2,500 g [n (%)] (Low BW) | 1,285 (50.6) | |||
| >2,500 g [n (%)] (Normal BW) | 1,250 (49.4) | |||
| Admission weight (g), n (%) | 2,732 | 0 | 100 | |
| Mean (SD) | 2,341 (888.3) | |||
| Median (IQR) | 1,600 (2,300–3,000) | |||
| Range | 505–5,800 | |||
| <2,500 g [n (%)] | 1,513 (55.4) | |||
| ≥2,500 g [n (%)] | 1,219 (44.6) | |||
| Gestation (weeks) | 2,731 | 1 (0.1) | 99.9 | |
| Mean (SD) | 34.97 (4.0) | |||
| Median (IQR) | 32 (31–33) | |||
| Range | 22–42 | |||
| <28 weeks [n (%)] | 108 (4.0) | |||
| <37 weeks [n (%)] | 1,424 (52.1) | |||
| Term (≥37 weeks) [n (%)] | 1,307 (47.9) | |||
| Vital signs on admission, mean (SD) | ||||
| Heart rate (beats/minute) | 137.7 (24.7) | 2,728 | 4 (0.1%) | 99.9% |
| Respiratory rate (breaths/minute) | 55.42 (18.8) | 2,732 | 0 (%) | 100% |
| Oxygen saturations in air (%) | 87.5 (15.6) | 2,728 | 4 (0.1%) | 99.9% |
| Temperature (°C) | 36.4 (1.4) | 2,729 | 3 (0.1%) | 99.9% |
| Blood sugar (mmol/l) | 120.2 (71.1) | 2,486 | 246 (9.0%) | 91.0% |
| Abnormal vital signs on admission, n (%) | ||||
| Tachycardic (heart rate >160 beats/min) | 389 (14.3%) | 2,728 | 4 (0.1%) | 99.9% |
| Hypoxic (oxygen saturations <90% in air) | 870 (31.9%) | 2,728 | 4 (0.1%) | 99.9% |
| Tachypneic (respiratory rate >60 breaths/min) | 787 (28.8%) | 2,732 | 0(%) | 100% |
| Hypothermic (temperature <36.5°C) | 1,277 (52.9) | 2,732 | 0 | 100 |
| Hypothermic–Inborn | 659 (60.4) | 1,090 | ||
| Hypothermic–Out-born | 618 (37.6) | 1,642 | ||
| Hyperthermic (temperature >37.5°C) | 2,123 (77.8%) | 2,729 | 3 (0.1%) | 99.9% |
| Hypoglycaemia (blood sugar <2.6 mml/l) | 45 (1.8%) | 2,486 | 246 (9.0%) | 91.0% |
BW, birth weight; IQR, interquartile range; LBW, low birth weight; LMP, last menstrual period; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome; SD, standard deviation.