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Pattern of Eclampsia in Onitsha, Nigeria
Abstract
Objective: To ascertain the incidence, pattern and outcome of eclampsia in mothers attending and using the obstetric services of the St. Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha.
Methods: A retrospective study of 102 patients that had eclampsia between January 1991 and December 2000, a ten-year period was done.
Information extracted from the case-notes included maternal age, parity, booking status, maternal morbidity and mortality. Statistical analysis was with the Chi-square distribution.
Results: The study revealed a hospital incidence of eclampsia was 0.65% of all deliveries. The incidence for the unbooked (1.31%) patients was higher than for the booked (0.54%) patients (X2=16.67, P<001). Postpartum eclampsia was the commonest form (46%), followed by antepartum eclampsia (38%), while the least was intrapartum eclampsia, (14.7%). These differences were statistically significant [X2 = 17.12, P<.001]. The maternal mortality rate was 69/1000 (41/1000 for booked and 138/1000 for the unbooked patients).
Conclusion: Eclampsia is still a major health problem facing obstetric practice in this area. Good antepartum care and intensive surveillance of patients after delivery will reduce eclampsia and its complications.
Key Words: Eclampsia, Postpartum surveillance
Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.16(1) 2004: 16-20
Methods: A retrospective study of 102 patients that had eclampsia between January 1991 and December 2000, a ten-year period was done.
Information extracted from the case-notes included maternal age, parity, booking status, maternal morbidity and mortality. Statistical analysis was with the Chi-square distribution.
Results: The study revealed a hospital incidence of eclampsia was 0.65% of all deliveries. The incidence for the unbooked (1.31%) patients was higher than for the booked (0.54%) patients (X2=16.67, P<001). Postpartum eclampsia was the commonest form (46%), followed by antepartum eclampsia (38%), while the least was intrapartum eclampsia, (14.7%). These differences were statistically significant [X2 = 17.12, P<.001]. The maternal mortality rate was 69/1000 (41/1000 for booked and 138/1000 for the unbooked patients).
Conclusion: Eclampsia is still a major health problem facing obstetric practice in this area. Good antepartum care and intensive surveillance of patients after delivery will reduce eclampsia and its complications.
Key Words: Eclampsia, Postpartum surveillance
Orient Journal of Medicine Vol.16(1) 2004: 16-20
