Determinants of early Post-natal Blood Pressure among Term Healthy Babies Seen in A Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Neonatal blood pressure varies considerably in the early days of life. To correctly interpret blood pressure measurements or predict the expected blood pressure of a newborn, the factors that influence neonatal blood pressure must be taken into consideration. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence blood pressure (BP) in the early neonatal period. Method: This is a sub-analysis of research work on the blood pressure pattern of asphyxiated neonates and apparently healthy neonates. It is a hospital-based observational study that was conducted at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital [EKSUTH], Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. 12 blood pressure readings were taken serially from each baby in the first 24 hours after birth using oscillometric device. Relationships between blood pressure and physical parameters were established using regression analysis. Differences in blood pressure with respect to gender, gestational age, weight categorization, maturity for age, socio-economic status, and civil status were established using independent t-test and analysis of variance where appropriate. Result: 1476 blood pressure readings from 123 healthy newborns were analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) (SD) BP in mmHg on day 1 were 69.5 (6.5), 39.2 (5.1), and 49.3 (4.6) for Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and Mean Arterial pressure (MAP) respectively. Systolic blood pressure showed a positive linear relationship with weight (R=0.488, P=0.000) and length (R =0.304, P= 0.001). There were also significant differences in the mean (SD) of SBP with respect to gender (P = 0.015), civil status (P = 0.023), and maternal hypertension (P = 0.043). DBP (P= 0.001) and MAP(P=0.001) also had significant differences with respect to Maternal hypertension. Conclusion: Systolic blood pressure correlated significantly with birth weight and length. Only maternal hypertension had a significant effect on diastolic blood pressure.