A longitudinal study of incidence and pregnancy outcome of abruption placenta at the–tertiary hospital in Gambia

Abstract

Background: Placenta abruption is the leading cause of vaginal bleeding in the latter half of pregnancy and obstetrics haemorrhage the most common cause of maternal death in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the study was to determine incidence, risk factors and management outcomes of abruption in our setting. Methods: data on pregnancy, delivery, maternal and perinatal outcomes were collected using a structured data collection tool from January to December 2014 at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital. Descriptive statistics was generated and analysed using Stata statistical software. A binary variable regression analysis with confidence interval set at 95% and Odd ratio was used for test of significance. Results: there were 4640 maternities and 111 had abruption at the rate of 24/1000 maternities (2.4%). Increasing maternal age >31 years and parity >4 were associated with high frequency of abruption 36.3% and 54.1% respectively. The commonest risk factor was hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (59.5%). The stillbirth rate was 53%, predominantly fresh stillbirth (46.8%). However, maternal age