TITLE:
Maternal and Perinatal Complications of Severe Preeclampsia in Three Referral Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Jean Dupont Kemfang Ngowa, Jean Marie Kasia, Jean Alima, Joel Fokom Domgue, Anny Ngassam, Jean Baptiste Bogne, Sebastien Mba
KEYWORDS:
Pregnancy, Hypertension, Severe Preeclampsia, Maternal and Perinatal Complications, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.5 No.12,
October
28,
2015
ABSTRACT: Objective: The
aim of this study was to determine maternal and perinatal complications of pregnancies
complicated by severe preeclampsia in three tertiary care centers in Cameroon.
Methods: We carried out a descriptive cross sectional study from the 1st of June 2012 to the 31th of
June 2014, among
pregnant women with severe preeclampsia followed up in three tertiary level hospitals
in Yaoundé, Cameroon: the Yaoundé General Hospital, the Yaoundé Central
Hospital, and the Yaoundé University Hospital. Statistical analysis was
performed using EPI 3.5.5. Data were described as means ± standard
deviation, percentages and numbers. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used
where appropriate. Results: Of the 2500 deliveries registered during the study
period, 111 cases (8.49%) were managed as severe preeclampsia. Four patients
refused to participate and were excluded from the study. Most of these patients
were non workers (58.0%), pauciparous (61.7%) and young (median age of 27.47
years ± 6.46). Eclampsia (12.14%), abruptio placentae (11.21%) and
hypertensive retinopathy (7.47%) were the most frequent maternal complications.
Two cases (1.86%)
of maternal deaths occurred in patients who had eclampsia. Prematurity (48.6%),
intra uterine fetal death (13.1%) and oligoamnios (11.2%) were the most
frequent fetal complications. All four neonatal deaths occurred in women in
whom the diagnosis of severe preeclampsia was done between 28 and 33 weeks of
gestation. Conclusion: Pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia had
significantly high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Cameroon.
The complications of severe preeclampsia can be prevented by more widespread
use of antenatal care, education of primary medical care personnel, prompt
diagnosis of high-risk patients and timely referral to tertiary medical
centers.