A Ten- Year Review of Eclampsia at a Teaching Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Worldwide, eclampsia remains one of the major causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia/eclampsia is a multisystem disease and despite extensive research, no definitive etiology has been identified. This
disease therefore continues to pose a challenge in obstetric practice, especially in developing countries like ours. This study 
therefore set out to determine the prevalence, associated factors, and outcome of eclampsia at the University of Abuja Teaching 
Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. It was a descriptive retrospective review of cases of eclampsia managed at the University of Abuja 
Teaching Hospital, Abuja over a 10-year period. The case notes of these women were retrieved and relevant data obtained 
included age, parity, booking status, type of eclampsia, gestational age at presentation, mode of delivery, maternal and perinatal 
outcome variables. Data was analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS Inc, Chicago) version 20 and 
outcome variables represented in simple percentages. Of the 22,945 deliveries conducted during that period, 257 cases of 
eclampsia were managed, putting the prevalence of eclampsia at 1.12%. Of these, 90.5% were unbooked, 67.6% were 
primigravidae and 88.2% were below 30years of age. Antepartum eclampsia was the commonest form, occurring in 67.6% of 
the patients. Caesarean section was the mode of delivery in 82.2% of cases. Maternal and perinatal mortality were 4.6% and 
11.1% respectively. In conclusion, eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Interventions 
suggested include widespread health education on the need for patients to have antenatal care.