Caeserean section for preeclampsia-eclampsia at the University Teaching Hospital (CHU) Yaounde

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of caeserean section indicated for preeclampsia-eclampsia, describe the clinical features and evaluate the maternofoetal outcome. A retrospective review of all cases of caeserean section between January 2002 and December 2003 to identify all cases of caeserean deliveries indicated for deterioration of maternal condition despite medical treatment of preeclampsia-eclampsia. Cases indicated for acute foetal distress were excluded. Forty-six out of the 565 caeserean deliveries were indicated for preeclampsia-eclampsia giving a frequency of 8.1%. Up to 54.5% of all the 33 retrieved files were evacuated cases. The majority were young women less than 25years (63.6%) and usually nulliparous (60.6%). Only 45.5% of paturients had a first trimester baseline blood pressure. Evidence of the deterioration of maternal conditions was suggested by the persistence of severe hypertension, seizures (45.5%), visual disturbances (24.2%), headache (15.2%) or epigastralgia (12.1%). Maternal morbidity was dominated by anaemia (51.5%). No case of maternal death following caesarean delivery was recorded during this period. Neonatal morbidity was due to prematurity (36.4%) or intrauterine growth restriction (9.1%). Perinatal mortality up to the first 24 hours postpartum was 12.1%.

Mother and Child Health Clinics Vol. 1(3) 2004: 166-171