Outcome of pregnancies complicated by abruptio placentae in Kano, Nigeria: A 5 year review

Abstract

Background: Abruptio Placentae is the commonest cause of bleeding per vaginam in the third trimester of pregnancy. It remains a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality globally, though of most serious concern in the developing world. As most known causes of abruptio placentae are either preventable or treatable, an increased frequency of the condition remains a source of concern to obstetricians in the developing world.
Objectives: To determine the incidence and the feto-maternal outcome of pregnancies complicated by abruptio placentae in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.
Study design: Retrospective study of pregnancies complicated by abruptio placentae at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2014.
Results: A total of 152 cases of abruptio placentae were recorded out of 18,220 cases admitted for delivery during the study period, giving a rate 0.83%. Major complications were intra uterine fetal deaths in 52.0%, fetal distress in 36.5%, postpartum haemorrhage in 24.3% of cases, and anaemia necessitating blood transfusion in 61.5%. 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 most frequent foetal outcome was intrauterine foetal death, while postpartum haemorrhage, increased blood transfusion  due to severe anaemia and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, were the major maternal complications.