TITLE:
Burden, Clinical Management, and Maternal-Neonatal Outcomes of Obstetric Emergencies at a Secondary Referral Hospital in Benin in 2020: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Sèdjro Raoul Atade, Mahoublo Vinadou Vodouhe, Nukunté David Lionel Togbenon, Carmelle Aliho, Liliane Sipoty, Valdes Doha, Samiath Bakary, Salifou Kabibou
KEYWORDS:
Obstetric Emergencies, Maternal Mortality, Neonatal Mortality, Emergency Obstetric Care, Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Obstetric Hemorrhage, Benin
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Obstetric emergencies remain a major contributor to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence from secondary referral hospitals in Benin is limited. Objective: This study assessed the burden, clinical profile, management and outcomes of obstetric emergencies at Comè Zone Hospital in 2020. Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of women admitted with obstetric emergencies between 1 January and 31 December 2020. Obstetric admissions were screened using maternity registers, and eligible records were reviewed. Obstetric emergency prevalence was calculated using all obstetric admissions as the denominator. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were assessed using appropriate denominators. Descriptive statistics summarized sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal care, referral patterns, diagnoses, management and outcomes. Results: Among 1866 obstetric admissions, 372 records were identified as obstetric emergencies and six were excluded because of incomplete key information, leaving 366 women for analysis. Obstetric emergencies therefore represented 19.6% of all obstetric admissions. Hypertensive disorders were the leading emergency diagnosis (130/366, 35.5%), followed by obstetric hemorrhage (100/366, 27.3%) and acute fetal distress (92/366, 25.1%). Overall, 264 women (72.1%) had received at least one antenatal care visit, while 73 (27.7% of those attending antenatal care) had completed four or more visits. Referral from another facility occurred in 246 women (67.2%), but pre-referral communication was documented in only 97 (39.4%). Emergency caesarean section was performed in 223 women (60.9%). Most women were discharged after clinical recovery (304/366, 83.1%); 10 (2.7%) died, 16 (4.4%) were discharged against medical advice and 36 (9.8%) absconded. Among 341 live-born infants, 23 died before hospital discharge, corresponding to an in-hospital neonatal mortality of 6.7%. Conclusion: Obstetric emergencies accounted for nearly one-fifth of obstetric admissions, with substantial maternal and neonatal mortality. Strengthening antenatal care quality, early recognition of complications, referral communication, emergency obstetric capacity and integrated newborn care may improve outcomes.