A five-year review of perinatal and maternal outcomes and their predisposing socio-demographic factors in a tertiary hospital in South-South Nigeria

Background: With a 慥ery High� maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of 814 per 100,000 live births, Nigeria contributes the largest proportion of 19% to the global burden of maternal mortality. The causes of maternal and perinatal mortality in Nigeria are linked to the three levels of delay in accessing maternal healthcare. The objective of the study was to identify the sociodemographic contributors to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes and mortalities in the facility and make appropriate recommendations that would improve maternal and perinatal outcomes/mortalities.Methods: This research was a retrospective study. It was conducted between January, 2016 and December, 2020. Relevant data was retrieved, entered into a pre-designed proforma, and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions for windows� version 25, SPSS Inc.; Chicago, USA.Results: Age of the women (X2=12.94; p-0.005), marital status (X2=66.86; p-0.001), level of education (X2=8.77; p-0.033) and occupation of participants (X2=26.30; p-0.001) were sociodemographic characteristics that are significantly associated with the outcome of pregnancies in this centre. perinatal mortality was also associated with age of the women (X2=15.52; p-0.001), their marital status (X2=105.48; p-0.001), level of education (X2=223.15; p-0.005) and occupation (X2=229.6; p-0.001).Conclusions: Our study revealed that socio-demographic factors of the patients to a large extent contributes to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, and not just the three delays.

Relationship between estimated foetal weight and maternal renal volume in normal pregnant women in Bayelsa state, South-South Nigeria

Background: The weight of the foetus is an important factor to consider when determining the outcome of pregnancy. The birth weight is reliable in predicting perinatal outcome. Excessive and low weights of the baby are associated with increased risk of newborn complications during labour, delivery and postpartum. The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between estimated foetal weight and maternal renal dimensions and volume in normal pregnant women in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Methods: This prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Radiology Departments of the two tertiary hospitals in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, from July to December, 2021. Sonographic assessments of estimated foetal weight and the maternal renal dimensions and volume in 400 consecutive normal pregnant women in both tertiary institutions were done, after obtaining written informed consent from them. Data were entered into a pre-designed proforma, and analysed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions for windows� version 25, (SPSS Inc.; Chicago, USA). Results were presented in frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and mean and standard deviation for continuous variables.Results: A total of 400 pregnant women were scanned. There was a valid relationship between right renal antero-posterior diameter (?= 0.32; p �010), right renal width (?= 0.32; p �007), right renal volume (?= 0.32; p �007) and estimated foetal weight. The left renal width and renal volume showed the same trend as the right parameters with slight differences in values.Conclusions: This study revealed that estimated foetal weight increased with increase in maternal renal volume and dimensions.