The Incidence; Pattern and Management Outcomes of Early Pregnancy Losses at the Ebony State University Teaching Hospital; Abakaliki

Background: Early pregnancy losses are a source of deep emotional trauma to any woman; her family and the attending Gynaecologist. This study evaluated the prevalence; pattern and management outcomes of such losses at a tertiary Health Institution. Methods: Data of all women who suffered early pregnancy losses between 1st January; 2002 and 31st December; 2004; were reviewed in a descriptive study. Information obtained from their case notes which related to the early pregnancy event; their socio demographics; obstetric history and management outcomes were collated. Univariate analysis was performed and frequency tables and figures were constructed where appropriate. Results: Early pregnancy losses comprised miscarriages; molar pregnancy and ectopic gestations accounted for 32.1of all gynaecological admissions during the period. Miscarriages were the commonest diagnosis and incomplete abortion constituted the bulk of this. Women of all parities were involved but rate of loss increased down the socio economic class strata. Majority were unbooked. A maternal mortality rate of 1.8attended all forms of early pregnancy losses during the period. Conclusion: Early pregnancy loss constitutes a major gynaecological problem in our centre. Health care providers must institute prompt and appropriate clinical management for a good clinical outcome

Prevalence of Low Sperm Count and Abnormal Semen Parameters in Male Partners of Women Consulting at Infertility Clinic in Abakaliki; Nigeria

In order to provide an insight to the prevalence of low sperm count and abnormal semen parameters in suspected subfertile/ infertile men in our environment; semen samples collected from one hundred and seventy (170) men aged 21-50 years; whose wives were seen at a private fertility clinic in Abakaliki; Nigeria with diagnosis of primary and secondary infertility (78 and 92 respectively) were analysed in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines. Significantly high proportion (70) of the study population had low sperm count (p 0.05) with significantly high defective parameters (64). Asthenozoospermia and teratozoospermia were the major abnormal parameters recorded. Higher prevalence of oligospermia was found in the civil servants and age-group 31-40 years (74and 75respectively). Using 105 cfu/ml as a significant level of bacteria growth; the prevalence of bacteria growth was found to be 56of which 18were from normospermic semen d 38 from oligospermic semen

Retained placenta aspect of clinical management in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria

Background: Retained placenta is a significant cause of postpartum haemorrhage; maternal morbidity and occasionally mortality. This study assessed the clinical presentation; management and outcomes of retained placenta at the Ebonyi State University teaching Hospital.Method: Analysis of records relating to retained placenta managed in the hospital over a three year period (August 2003 to July 20060. Results: The incidence of retained placenta was 0.22(1 in 456 vaginal deliveries). Eleven (32.4) patients were admitted with retained placenta following home delivery. Two (5.6) delivery in a peripheral hospital; 6(17.7) delivered in a Health center and 2(5.9)delivered in a maternity home. Preterm deliveries accounted for 17.7of the cases. Eighteen parturient were admitted in shock. One patient had hysterectomy for adherent placenta. Conclusion: Improved peripatum services; education on the dangers of unsupervised home deliveries; women empowernment and prompt referral for emergency obstetrics care will reduce the associated mortality and morbidity