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Correlation between maternal infections and neonatal health: Evidence from Haji Adam Malik Hospital, Medan

Muara P. Lubis(1), Melvin N. G. Barus(2),


(1) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
(2) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
Corresponding Author

Abstract


Maternal infections remain a critical but under-addressed determinant of neonatal health in Indonesia, yet hospital-based evidence is limited. This retrospective study reviewed 206 maternal records at Haji Adam Malik Hospital, Medan (2015–2018) to examine the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis and their associations with neonatal outcomes. HIV prevalence was 6.8% (14/206), substantially higher than national estimates, while hepatitis B was detected in 2.4% (5/206) and no syphilis cases were identified. Overall, one-third of infants (33%) were born with low birth weight and 9.2% had suboptimal Apgar scores. Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between HIV infection and elevated maternal leukocyte counts with adverse neonatal outcomes (p < 0.05). Unexpectedly, none of the hepatitis B–reactive mothers had infants with low birth weight or poor Apgar scores, a finding likely due to the very small sample size and potential confounding. These results highlight the disproportionate burden of HIV in Medan, the methodological challenges of small-case analyses, and the urgent need for reliable antenatal infection screening and strengthened prevention of mother-to-child transmission services to reduce preventable neonatal morbidity.

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