Pre-eclampsia at Laquintinie hospital (Douala): survey of prevalence and morbidity from 2010 to 2015

Objective: to determine the prevalence of pre-eclampsia and describe its complications at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Methods: We conducted a descriptive study with retrospective data collection for 03 months (January 18, 2016 to April 18, 2016) from the records of pregnant women received at the gynecology-obstetrics department over a 6-year period from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015 at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. We identified pregnant women with BP≥140 / 90 mmHg combined with proteinuria> 0.3g / 24h or significant albuminuria (2+) on urine strips after 20 weeks of amenorrhea. Results: Of the 17644 deliveries recorded during our study period, we found 1080 cases of PE, a frequency of 6.12%. PE was common among primi-parous women (46.7%) in the age group [20-29] years. Pregnant women under the age of 20 were the most affected by eclampsia. Preeclampsia was frequently found in pregnant women with twin pregnancies and those with macrosomic fetuses with 10.1% and 8.9% frequency, respectively. Multiparous women with preeclampsia often had a history of PE (43 cases or 4%), arterial hypertension (55 cases or 5.1%) and / or diabetes (5 cases or 0.5%). Eclampsia was the principal maternal complication (29.7%). The maternal case fatality rate was 0.5%. Fetal complications were dominated by induced prematurity (19.5%) and intra-uterine fetal death (9.4%). Conclusion: This study reveals that pre-eclampsia is frequent in Douala Laquintinie hospital with high maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality rate and therefore remains a major public health problem

Indications and maternofetal outcome of instrumental deliveries at the University Teaching Hospital of Yaounde, Cameroon.

Instrumental deliveries are believed to be associated with increased maternal and, especially, fetal morbidity and mortality. Hence, it is less practiced in many developing countries. The aim of this retrospective study, conducted between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008, was to assess the prevalence, indications, neonatal wellbeing and maternal complications of instrumental deliveries. Of 3623 vaginal deliveries, 84 (2.3%) instrumental deliveries were conducted. The most common indication was a prolonged second stage of labour. Fetal wellbeing, measured by the Apgar score, was good and was similar in the group who had forceps delivery and that of the vacuum extraction delivery group. Maternal complications, usually minor, were vaginal and perineal tears. Instrumental delivery should be encouraged and taught in order to reverse the rising caesarean section rate.

Lower lung field tuberculosis in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Lower lung field tuberculosis was investigated in 273 consecutive adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis admitted into the Chest Unit of the Jamot Hospital in Yaounde from December 1991 to July 1992. Twenty eight cases were found representing 10.3 pc of the total admissions with pulmonary tuberculosis. Twenty three (82.1 pc) of the patients were under 40 years of age and there were more women than men. Pregnancy, HIV infection and Diabetes mellitus were conditions frequently associated with lower lung field tuberculosis. The clinical symptoms were similar to those found in upper lobe disease. Radiographic changes were found mostly in the right lung and bilateral involvement was infrequent. Extensive homogeneous or patchy consolidation was found in 87.3 pc of the cases. Cavities and pleural effusion were respectively observed in 14 and four of the patients. Tuberculosis should always be considered as a diagnostic possibility in patients with lower lung field lesions.

PIP: Lower lung field tuberculosis (LLFT) was investigated in 273 consecutive adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) admitted to the Chest Unit of Jamot Hospital in Yaounde from December 1991 to July 1992. 28 cases were found, 10.3% of total admissions with PT, of mean age 34 years in the range 15-78. There were 12 men and 16 women. 23 of the cases were under age 40 years. Pregnancy, HIV infection, and Diabetes mellitus were frequently associated with LLFT. Clinical symptoms were similar to those found in upper lobe disease. Radiographic changes were found mostly in the right lung and bilateral involvement was infrequent. Extensive homogeneous or patchy consolidation was found in 87.3% of cases. Cavities and pleural effusion were respectively observed in 14 and 4 patients. The authors argue that tuberculosis should always be considered as a diagnostic possibility in patients with LLFT.

Radiographic aspects of pulmonary tuberculosis in the adult in Yaounde; Cameroon

Radiographic aspects of newly detected and previously untreated pulmonary tuberculosis in 273 consecutive adult patients admitted into the chest unit of the Jamot Hospital in Yaounde over an 8 month period were reviewed. None of the patients had a normal admission chest X-ray image. Lesions localized only in the upper lung fields were seen in 21.3 percent of the cases. In contrast; 64.1 percent of the patients presented with a far advanced and extensive disease characterized by infiltrates with or without cavities occupying a whole lung field or more. Cavitary disease predominantly made of multiple large cavities was observed in 77.7 percent of the cases. Atypical images including pleural effusion; parenchymal nodules; lymphadenopathy and lower lung field disease were uncommon. Despite recent studies suggesting that pulmonary tuberculosis is presenting with atypical radiographic features more commonly than reported in the past; the chest X-ray manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis in the series were predominantly characterized by a far advanced disease with multiple large cavities