Sky Journal of Medicines and Medical Sciences Vol. 7(3), pp. 020-025, January, 2021, Available online, http://www.skyjournals.org/SJMMS

ISSN 2315-8808 ©2021 Sky Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Eclampsia at a university teaching hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria- A 13 year review
 

Umeobika J. C.¹*, Ojiyi E. C.², Ezenyeaku C. T.¹ and Ezebialu U.I¹.

Abstract

Eclampsia remains one of the major causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. It is among the first three causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria. We sought to determine the prevalence, socio-demographic factors, management modalities and outcome of eclamptic cases. A retrospective analysis of case notes of patients with eclampsia was done. The information collected were age, parity, booking status, mode of delivery, type of eclampsia, drug treatment and maternal outcome. There were 10,212 total deliveries within the period. Out of this, 112 had eclampsia, giving a prevalence of 1.1%. Only 108 case notes were retrieved and analysed. Eclampsia was commonest amongst the teenagers (48.1%). Primigravidae accounted for 70.4% of the cases. The majority of the patients (92.6%) were unbooked while 56.5% were delivered by caesarean section. Intrapartum eclampsia was commonest (48.1%). Only magnesium sulphate was used in 37.1%of cases while 12.0% were managed with diazepam alone. The commonest maternal complication was acute renal failure. Three maternal deaths occurred due to eclampsia while a total of 15 maternal deaths occurred over the study period giving a maternal mortality ratio of 146.9 per 100,000 deliveries with eclampsia contributing 20%. Policies to encourage early booking and discourage teenage pregnancies may likely reduce the incidence of eclampsia.

Key words: Eclampsia, maternal and perinatal outcome, Orlu, Nigeria.

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