Maternal complications of severe pre-eclampsia at a tertiary level hospital in Zambia

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the study was to describe the maternal outcomes and mode of delivery among women with Severe pre-eclampsia (SPE) admitted to the University teaching Hospitals- Women and Newborn Hospital (UTHWNH).

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study analysed cases of 175 women with Severe Preeclampsia admitted to the Mother and New Born Hospital between June and December 2017. Women meeting the criteria were identified antenatal and enrolled into the study after delivery to obtain data using the maternity record book and face-face interviews for clarification. The data was analysed using SPSS to obtain frequency distributions of outcomes of interest that was illustrated in charts and tables.

Results: The age range for the women was 15 - 41 years. Frequency of complications from SPE increased with advancing age towards 35 years and above. Unemployment and living in low cost housing was associated with higher risk of complication from SPE. HELLP Syndrome occurred in 10.3% of women with SPE and so did placental abruption. IUFD was a complication in 28% of the pregnant women. Most women (34%) delivered through induction of labour. The 30-34 weeks was the peak gestation period associated with the most complications of SPE in the pregnant women.

Conclusion: SPE is a pregnancy condition with serious potential consequences for the mother and the fetus.