Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A five-year review in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and outcome of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State Nigeria Method: This was a retrospective descriptive study of all documented cases of hypertensive disorder of pregnancy between the 1st of June 2012 and 31st May, 2017. Information such as age, parity, booking status, level of education, blood pressure at presentation, urinalysis at presentation, gestational age at presentation, and delivery, mode of delivery, baby’s birth weight was extracted from patients’ case files. Result: There were 1,118 deliveries during the study period out of which 55 (4.9%) patients had hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The mean age was 31.5years ±48.1 and mean parity, 1.2± 1.1.  The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 180.4 ± 1.88mmHg and 105.1± 1.5mmHg, respectively. Thirty-four (75.5%) of the women had preeclampsia/ eclampsia, while 7 (15.5%) had gestational hypertension. Most women were delivered preterm (22 patients, 48.7%).  The majority of them (33, 73.3%) were delivered by cesarean section, out of which 2 (4.4%) were elective cesarean section and 31 patients (68.8%) were emergency cesarean section. The case fatality rate was 1.8%. Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia was the most prevalent t hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.  It was more prevalent among primigravidae patients and the most common complication was preterm delivery. Strengthening antenatal care services will enable early identification of cases. Prompt referral of cases for specialist care will help in reducing the adverse outcomes associated with the condition.