Maternal and Perinatal Complications of Severe Preeclampsia in Three Referral Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Jean Dupont Kemfang Ngowa^1,2*, Jean Marie Kasia^1,2, Jean Alima², Joel Fokom Domgue², Anny Ngassam², Jean Baptiste Bogne³, Sebastien Mba⁴

¹Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Yaoundé General Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
³Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
⁴Anesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Yaoundé General Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

DOI: 10.4236/ojog.2015.512101                

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine maternal and perinatal complications of pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia in three tertiary care centers in Cameroon. Methods: We carried out a descriptive cross sectional study from the 1^st of June 2012 to the 31^th of June 2014, among pregnant women with severe preeclampsia followed up in three tertiary level hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon: the Yaoundé General Hospital, the Yaoundé Central Hospital, and the Yaoundé University Hospital. Statistical analysis was performed using EPI 3.5.5. Data were described as means ± standard deviation, percentages and numbers. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used where appropriate. Results: Of the 2500 deliveries registered during the study period, 111 cases (8.49%) were managed as severe preeclampsia. Four patients refused to participate and were excluded from the study. Most of these patients were non workers (58.0%), pauciparous (61.7%) and young (median age of 27.47 years ± 6.46). Eclampsia (12.14%), abruptio placentae (11.21%) and hypertensive retinopathy (7.47%) were the most frequent maternal complications. Two cases (1.86%) of maternal deaths occurred in patients who had eclampsia. Prematurity (48.6%), intra uterine fetal death (13.1%) and oligoamnios (11.2%) were the most frequent fetal complications. All four neonatal deaths occurred in women in whom the diagnosis of severe preeclampsia was done between 28 and 33 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: Pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia had significantly high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Cameroon. The complications of severe preeclampsia can be prevented by more widespread use of antenatal care, education of primary medical care personnel, prompt diagnosis of high-risk patients and timely referral to tertiary medical centers.

Keywords

Pregnancy, Hypertension, Severe Preeclampsia, Maternal and Perinatal Complications, Cameroon

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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