Adverse Birth Outcomes

The 15% neonatal asphyxia rate in Nabdam District exceeds the 9.3% prevalence reported in a comparable study of adolescent births. The composite adverse outcome prevalence of 37.8% closely aligns with findings from a study of adolescent mothers in Burkina Faso. Low birth weight is defined as birth weight below 2,500 g regardless of gestational age. Preterm birth is defined as delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Adverse birth outcomes are associated with elevated infant mortality and long-term health consequences for offspring. Maternal anaemia has been linked to adverse birth outcomes across multiple sub-Saharan African settings, although the associations differ by country. Studies from Ethiopia, Somalia, and Zimbabwe report links between maternal anaemia and low birth weight and preterm birth.