TITLE:
Rate of Obstetrical Complications and Medical Interventions in Low-Risk Patients: A Cohort Study in Dakar, Senegal
AUTHORS:
Aissatou Mbodji, Mamour Gueye, Mouhamadou Wade, Assia Bourragat, Mame Diarra Ndiaye, Simon Birane Ndour, Philoméne Aissatou Diedhiou, Mohamadou Nazir Sylla, Diomaye Sene, Magatte Mbaye
KEYWORDS:
Risk, Delivery, Obstetric Complications, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.12 No.8,
August
25,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: “Low-risk” pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that develops physiologically in a healthy woman and remains
healthy. In practice, “low-risk” pregnancies
are defined by excluding high-risk pregnancies. Objectives: Evaluate the rate of complications and medical interventions in “low-risk” pregnant women. Methods: This was a
retrospective cohort study assessing the risk of obstetrical complications and medical interventions in low-risk
patients from January 2010 to
December 2020 at Philippe Maguilen Senghor Health Center in Dakar,
Senegal. Results: There were 10,979 low-risk patients out of a total of
52,768, accounting for 20.8%. As medical interventions, episiotomy was
performed in 27.5% and cesarean section in 8.7%. Acute fetal distress was observed in 4.1%. A low Apgar score at the fifth
minute was observed in 1.89% (whereas it was 3.49% in high risk
patients). Newborn-resuscitation was performed in 10.7%. Neonatal mortality was
5‰. Conclusion: Low-risk pregnancies
are not without “risk”, and thus care-givers should prepare for risks even at
dealing with low risk patients.