A 5-year review of pattern of placenta previa in Ilorin, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Placenta previa, a major cause of obstetric hemorrhage, is potentially life-threatening to the mother and frequently results in high perinatal morbidity and mortality. METHODOLOGY: This is a retrospective study of all cases of placenta previa managed at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital over a 5-year from January 2011 to December 2015. A pro forma template was used to harvest information from case notes of patients involved in the study. RESULTS: There were a total of 10,250 deliveries over the 5-year study and 164 cases of placenta previa were managed during this period; giving an incidence of 1.6% of the total deliveries. Of these patients, 65.9% were unbooked while 34.1% were booked. 110 (67%) were above 30 years of age and 51.2% were grand multiparous women. The majority (81.7%) of the patients belonged to the low socioeconomic class. Painless vaginal bleeding (62.2%), intrapartum hemorrhage (22.6%), and abnormal lie presentation (8.5%) were the most common mode of presentation. Vaginal delivery occurred in (29.3%) of patients while 70. 7% were delivered through cesarean section. There was a significant association between patients' age, parity, booking status, and types of placenta previa (P < 0.05). Similarly, there was a significant association between gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, intraoperative blood loss, and birth weight at delivery and types of placenta previa (P < 0.05). Perinatal mortality was 12.2%, 15.6% of babies had severe birth asphyxia, and there was no maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: From this study, the risk factors for placenta previa are advanced maternal age above 35 years, grand multiparity, and booking status. Early recognition, appropriate referral of these patients and availability of ultrasound facilities, blood transfusion facilities, improvement in neonatal facilities and trained personnel will go a long way in reducing the perinatal mortality from placenta previa.

Prevalence of anaemia at booking in a semi-urban community in north-central Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anaemia at booking clinic, describe the antenatal booking pattern, and categorize the degree of anaemia with certain demographic features. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out over a six month period between 1st April and 30th September 2008. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic information and venous blood samples were collected from 1,086 consecutive patients who consented to participate in the study. The blood samples were tested for haemoglobin levels, genotype and blood group. RESULTS: Seven hundred and thirty two (67.4%) of the women anaemic at booking. Anaemia was more prevalent among multgravidae than primigravidae (p<0.05). Six hundred and sixty nine (61.6%) had mild anaemia while 40(4.4%) had moderate anaemia and 15 (1.4%) were severely anaemic, of which 8 (53.3%) were below 18 years of age. Varied degrees of anaemia were more common among women aged 24-28 years and in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy (80.7%) (p<0.05). One hundred and seventy (15.7%) of the enrolled booked for antenatal care in the 1st trimester, while 703(64.7%) booked in the 2nd trimester and 213 (19.6%) in the 3rd trimester of their pregnancies. Thirteen (1.2%) had sickle cell anaemia. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of anaemia at booking remains high in our society. Urgent need for public health education on early antenatal booking and improved literacy level of women is suggested to reduce the burden of anaemia in pregnancy.

Missed Diagnosed Bicornuate Unicollis Uterus Presenting As Acute Abdomen.

Uterus bicornuate unicollis is one of the various congenital abnormalities of the female genital tract caused by partial fusion of the mullerian ducts on both sides. A case of acute abdomen resulting from missed diagnosed bicornuate unicollis uterus in a 42-year infertile women was presented. The ultrasonographic diagnosis of twisted complex left adnexial cyst was made prior to exploratory laparotomy. However, findings at laparotomy revealed a non-communicating bicornuate unicollis uterus with damaged right tube (hyrosalpinx) and normal ovaries and left tube. A blind-ended rudimentary left sided uterine horn was excised with the ovary spared and the right sided hydrosalpinx disconnected using chromic 1. Patient was however counselled for in vitro fertilization.

Ectopic pregnancy in Ilorin, Nigeria: a four year review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This is to study the incidence, predisposing factors, clinical presentation and management of ectopic pregnancy that presented over a four year period. PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 98 ectopic pregnancies managed at the gynaecological unit of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin from 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2007. Information was obtained from the case notes, theatre and labour ward registers. RESULTS: A total of 10,054 deliveries were recorded while 1,430 gynaecological patients were admitted. Ninety eight patients had ectopic gestation accounting for 1% of all deliveries and 6.9% of all gynaecological admissions. The peak age group was 25-29 years (33%); 70 (74.5%) were married and 16 (17%) were students mostly undergraduates. Previous pelvic inflammatory disease 78 (83%), previous pelvic surgery 7 (7.4%) and previous history of ectopic pregnancy 2 (2.1%) were the most common risk factors in the patients. Lower abdominal pain 90 (95.7%), missed period 82 (87.2%), dizziness/fainting attack 57( 60.6%) and vaginal bleeding 50 (53.2%) were the predominant symptoms at presentation. There were 2 (2.1%) bilateral ampullary tubal ectopic with one unruptured ec- topic which was treated with linear salpingostomy. Only one (1.1%) case of heterotrophic pregnancy. Open abdominal surgery was the treatment employed in all the patients. No Mortality was recorded. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ectopic pregnancy can be reduced by putting in place measures to reduce induced abortion and pelvic inflammatory disease. In addition, early presentation, prompt diagnosis and efficient blood transfusion services will decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with ectopic pregnancy.

Repeat caesarean delivery as a risk factor for abnormal blood loss, blood transfusion and perinatal mortality.

We reviewed 450 cases of caesarean delivery (January-December 2009) at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. We analysed the association between caesarean delivery status (primary or previous) and the following outcomes: abnormal blood-loss, blood transfusion and perinatal mortality. Although significant differences were observed between primary and previous caesarean delivery groups in regards to maternal age, urgency of the caesarean delivery, booking status, and cadre of birth attendant staff, no association was noted between caesarean delivery status and any of the three outcomes. Further analyses identified parity as an important predictor for blood transfusion and abnormal blood loss. In addition, we found a dose?response relationship between parity and abnormal blood loss (< 0.05). Also, mothers with an emergency caesarean delivery of the index pregnancy were more than twice as likely to have a blood transfusion as compared with those with an elective caesarean delivery.

Hepatitis B Virus Infection amongst Pregnant Women in North-Eastern Nigeria- A Call for Action

Background: It is well known that Hepatitis B virus infection is endemic in Nigeria. Even though studies have been carried out on Hepatitis B virus infection in different parts of Nigeria; and in different sub-groups of individuals; information regarding the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women is scanty especially from the North-eastern region of Nigeria. We therefore determined the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) amongst pregnant women in North Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out. The setting was the ante-natal clinic of the Federal Medical Centre; Yola; Nigeria. The duration of the study was from July 2008 to December 2008. Two hundred and thirty-one consecutively recruited pregnant women were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen. Positive samples were re-tested using ELISA to eliminate false positives. Their biodata were obtained using a questionnaire to establish the presence of possible risk factors such as blood transfusion; surgery; etc. Written informed consent was obtained from each woman. Results: Out of the 231 pregnant women tested; nineteen of them were seropositive for Hepatitis B virus infection giving an infection rate of 8.2. Women in the age group 25-29 years had the highest HBV infection rate. Conclusion: This study confirms a high seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infect ion amongst pregnant women. It is recommended that pregnant women should be routinely screened for Hepatitis B virus infection as part of antenatal care services

Hepatitis B Virus Infection amongst Pregnant Women in North-Eastern Nigeria- a Call for Action

Background: It is well known that Hepatitis B virus infection is endemic in Nigeria. Even though studies have been carried out on Hepatitis B virus infection in different parts of Nigeria; and in different sub-groups of individuals; information regarding the prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection in pregnant women is scanty especially from the North-eastern region of Nigeria. We therefore determined the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) amongst pregnant women in North Eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out. The setting was the ante-natal clinic of the Federal Medical Centre; Yola; Nigeria. The duration of the study was from July 2008 to December 2008. Two hundred and thirty-one consecutively recruited pregnant women were screened for Hepatitis B surface antigen. Positive samples were re-tested using ELISA to eliminate false positives. Their biodata were obtained using a questionnaire to establish the presence of possible risk factors such as blood transfusion; surgery; etc. Written informed consent was obtained from each woman. Results: Out of the 231 pregnant women tested; nineteen of them were seropositive for Hepatitis B virus infection giving an infection rate of 8.2. Women in the age group 25-29 years had the highest HBV infection rate. Conclusion: This study confirms a high seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus infect ion amongst pregnant women. It is recommended that pregnant women should be routinely screened for Hepatitis B virus infection as part of antenatal care services

Vesicovaginal fistula: a review of nigerian experience.

BACKGROUND: Vesicovaginal fistula is a preventable calamity, which has been an age-long menace in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To review the causes, complications, and outcome of Vesicovaginal fistula in Nigeria. METHODS: Studies on Vesicovaginal fistula were searched on the internet. Information was obtained on PubMed(medline), WHO website, Bioline International, African Journal of Line, Google scholar, Yahoo, Medscape and e Medicine. RESULTS: Many Nigerian women are living with Vesicovaginal fistula. The annual obstetric fistula incidence is estimated at 2.11 per 1000 births. It is more prevalent in northern Nigeria that southern Nigeria. Obstetric fistula accounts for 84.1%-100% of the Vesicovaginal fistula and prolonged obstructed labour is consistently the most common cause (65.9%-96.5%) in all the series. Other common causes include caesarean section, advanced cervical cancer, uterine rupture, and Gishiri cut. The identified predisposing factors were early marriage and pregnancy, which were rampant in northern Nigeria, while unskilled birth attendance and late presentation to the health facilities was common nationwide. Among the significant contributory factors to high rate of unskilled birth attendance and were poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, restriction of women's movement, non-permission from husband and transportation. All but one Nigerian studies revealed that primiparous women were the most vulnerable group. Pregnancy outcome was dismal in most cases related to delivery with still birth rate of 87%-91.7%. Stigmatization, divorce and social exclusion were common complications. Overall fistula repair success rate was between 75% and 92% in a few centres that offer such services. CONCLUSION: Vesicovaginal fistula is prevalent in Nigeria and obstetric factors are mostly implicated. It is a public health issue of concern.

Vesicovaginal Fistula: a Review of Nigerian Experience

BACKGROUND: Vesicovaginal fistula is a preventable calamity; which has been an age-long menace in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To review the causes; complications; and outcome of vesicovaginal fistula in Nigeria. METHODS: Studies on vesicovaginal fistula were searched on the internet. Information was obtained on Pubmed (medline); WHO website; Bioline Innternational; African Journal on Line; Google scholar; Yahoo; Medscape and e Medicine. RESULTS: Many Nigerian women are living with vesicovaginal fistula. The annual obstetric fistula incidence is estimated at 2.11 per 1000 births. It is more prevalent in northern Nigeria than southern Nigeria. Obstetric fistula accounts for 84.1-100of the vesicovaginal fistula and prolonged obstructed labour is consistently the most common cause (65.9-96.5) in all the series. Other common causes include caesarean section; advanced cervical cancer; uterine rupture; and Gishiri cut. The identified predisposing factors were early marriage and pregnancy; which were rampant in northern Nigeria; while unskilled birth attendance and late presentation to the health facilities was common nationwide. Among the significant contributory factors to high rate of unskilled birth attendance were poverty; illiteracy; ignorance; restriction of women's movement; non-permission from husband; and transportation. All but one Nigerian studies revealed that primiparous women were the most vulnerable group. Pregnancy outcome was dismal in most cases related to delivery with still birth rate of 87-91.7. Stigmatization; divorce and social exclusion were common complications. Overall fistula repair success rate was between 75and 92in a few centres that offer such services. CONCLUSION: Vesicovaginal fistula is prevalent in Nigeria and obstetric factors are mostly implicated. It is a public health issue of concern

Thyroid diseases in pregnancy: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the pathophysiology of thyroid diseases in pregnancy and the various treatment methods currently available in its management. DATA SOURCE: Review of literature was affected through index medicus search of major published journals and books. DATA SELECTION: Published data on thyroid diseases on women in the reproductive age group over the last four decades were utilised. DATA EXTRACTION: Abstracts and full text of selected manuscripts were read and analysed to determine their contribution to this article. DATA SYNTHESIS: All relevant articles were reviewed and contributions extracted. CONCLUSION: Thyroid diseases are the second most common endocrinopathies in pregnancy. Numerous hormonal changes and metabolic demands occur in pregnancy resulting in complex changes in maternal thyroid function. Thyroid diseases involves a multidisciplinary team approach to achieve good metabolic control and excellent obstetric care in order to ensure normal maternal and perinatal outcome.

Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD): socio-demographic characteristics of acceptors, acceptability and effectiveness in a teaching hospital in Nigeria.

This paper reports the socio-demographic characteristics of acceptors and their experience with intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Family Planning Clinic between January 1st, 1992 and December 31st, 1992. A total of 1,483 new contraceptive acceptors were seen at the Family Planning Clinic during the period of study of which 822 (55.4%) were first segment IUCD acceptors. The results (net cumulative rates) were expressed as percentage during the period of study. The rates were as follows: accidental pregnancy 1.3%, expulsion 5.1%, continuation 61.4%. The events leading to termination of IUCD use include; medical reasons 6.8%, planning pregnancy 5.2% and unspecified reasons 5.2%. It is concluded that IUCD is a safe and effective contraceptive with a high acceptability. The acceptability of IUCD can be increased by health education, good clinical management, sympathetic counselling, careful client selection, careful insertion, and regular follow-up with quick access to medical care.

Anovulatory infertility: a report of four cases and literature review.

Four cases of anovulatory/dysovulatory infertility encountered in Ilorin, Nigeria are presented and the literature extensively reviewed on the up-to-date management of this aspect of infertility. All the patients had bilateral tubal patency on hysterosalpingography (HSG) and their husbands had normal seminal fluid analysis. The first case, 30 years of age, had hyperprolactinaemia with galactorrhoea, treated with bromocriptine given 2.5 mg twice daily. Another case, aged 27 years, had polycystic ovarian syndrome with hyperprolactinaemia but no galactorrhea This was treated with clomiphene citrate 100 mg daily. The third case, 34 years old, had hypothyroidism with hyperprolactinaemia and galactorrhea and was treated with thyroxine. The last case, aged 32 years, had hyperprolactinaemia and was treated with bromocriptine and clomiphene citrate. None of the patients had demonstrable pituitary adenoma. After the appropriate treatment, ovulatory menses were restored in all the patients; two have been pregnant, while the other two have not yet achieved pregnancy but have having regular ovulatory menses. All the patients are Nigerians.

Obesity--an overview.

Obesity or being overweight, often resulting from overfeeding, has become a problem of public health magnitude not only in the developed countries but also in the developing countries. The literature has been extensively reviewed to give an overview of the health problems associated with this disorder. Some of these health hazards include hypertension, stroke, coronary (ischaemic) heart disease, diabetes mellitus, premature death, increased risk of cancer and at surgery. The causes, the types, the mode of assessment of the degree of obesity and the various methods of managing obesity with particular emphasis on dieting, exercise and the possible use of drugs (anorexiants) as well as surgery, as adjuncts, have been considered.