ABRUPTIO PLACENTAE: INCIDENCE AND PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CENTRE IN ABUJA, NIGERIA: A 4 YEAR REVIEW

Dr. Atta A. A. and Dr. Abdullahi I. H.*

ABSTRACT

Background: Abruptio placentae remains a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality globally with poorer outcomes in developing countries like Nigeria. Even though most of its risk factors are known, the incidence remains high in most centres especially in developing countries. Objectives: To determine the incidence and the feto-maternal outcome of pregnancies complicated by abruptio placentae in University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. Study design: Retrospective study of pregnancies complicated by abruptio placentae at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2014. Results: A total of 95 cases of abruptio placentae were recorded out of 8,475 cases admitted for delivery during the study period, giving an incidence rate of 1.1%. The major foetal complications were intra- uterine foetal deaths (41.1%), birth asphyxia (24.2%) and low birth weight (46.3%). The maternal complications were anaemia (53.4%), postpartum hemorrhage (38.4%), blood transfusion (50.6%), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) (6.8%) and acute kidney injury (1.4%). No maternal mortality occurred due to abruptio placentae during the study period. Conclusion: There is a high incidence of abruptio placentae in our setting. The major foetal outcome was intrauterine foetal death, and the major maternal complications were anaemia and postpartum haemorrhage with consequent high transfusion rates.

Keywords: Abruptio placentae, incidence, fetal, maternal, outcome.