ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Prolapse of the umbilical cord is a live threatening obstetric emergency for the fetus-infant. OBJECTIVE: To determine, the incidence of cord prolapse in the hospital. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A-12 1/2 year retrospective study of all women who presented with cord prolapse in labour at a university teaching hospital. RESULTS: During the period there were 16633 deliveries and 34 women presented with cord prolapse, giving an incidence of 2.0 per 1000 (1 in 504 deliveries). Highest incidence occurred in women of 35 years and above (5.0 per 1000); in the 25-29 years group 2.3 per 1000 and in those less than 20-years-old 1.3 per 1000. The highest incidence of cord prolapse was in the para 5 and over, 2.4 per 1000; para 0, 2.0 per 1000 and paras 14, 1.9 per 1000. The incidence of cord prolapse in the unregistered women was 5.2 per 1000, and in the registered 1.5 per 1000. The highest incidence was in the Hausa/Fulani ethnic group 3.4 per 1000; the Yoruba ethnic group, 2.1 per 1000; the Northern minority ethnic group, 2.0 per 1000; the Ibo ethnic group, 1.0 per 1000. No case of cord prolapse was recorded among women of Southern minority ethnic group. The incidence of cord prolapse among preterm births was, 62.7 per 1000, breech, 32.5 per 1000; shoulder, 133.3 per 1000, twin births. 16.8 per 1000 and cesarean births, 11.4 per 1000. CONCLUSION: Cord prolapse is an uncommon obstetric complication, the incidence of which is determined by the influence of various factors acting individually or in synergy.