Antepartum Haemorrhage at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara: A 3 year review

Abstract

Background: Antepartum haemorrhage and remains one of the dreaded complications in obstetrics due to its adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. Prompt detection and appropriate treatment of antepartum haemorrhage would however reduce significantly morbidity and mortality associated with it. This study was conceptualized to document the incidence, clinical risk factors, aetiology, and the fetomaternal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by antepartum haemorrhage in Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.

Methods: This was a three year retrospective descriptive study of 57 women managed for antepartum haemorrhage at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, between January 2011 and December 2013. The data was analyzed using statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.

Results: The incidence of antepartum haemorrhage was 6.02%, of which placenta praevia and abruptio placenta were 3.27% and 2.11% respectively. Placenta praevia was the commonest (54.4%) cause of antepartum haemorrhage. The mean gestational age at delivery was 34.9 ± 3.3 weeks. Caesarean section rate was 80.7% and the commonest fetal outcome was prematurity. Statistically significant association was found between antepartum haemorrhage and previous caesarean section, low birth weight, and birth asphyxia. There was statistically significant association between abruptio placenta and hypovolaemic shock, and more women with placenta praevia had malpresentation.