Spontaneous abortions (miscarriages): Analysis of cases at a tertiary center in North Central Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2015-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Medicine, University of Jos
Abstract
Background: Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) is a source of pregnancy loss globally. Its management, especially in low
resource countries remains hampered by inadequate facilities for evaluation.
Objectives: To assess the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of cases of spontaneous abortion at a tertiary hospital
in Ilorin, Nigeria.
Methodology: A descriptive study of all spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) managed at the University of Ilorin Teaching
Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. The records were retrieved from the medical records
department and necessary information retrieved.
Results: There were 603 miscarriages with a prevalence of 4.2%; incomplete miscarriage was the most common 254 (42.1%),
356 (59.0%) had no identifiable risk factor; 434 (72%) of the women were <35 years; 361 (59.9%) had first trimester miscarriages,
272 (45.1%) were of low parity (Para 0-1) and 223 (37%) were having a repeat miscarriage. Of the 141 managed for threatened
miscarriage, pregnancy was salvaged in 90 (63.8%), 244 (40.5%) had surgical evacuation with 100% success rate while
218 (36.2%) had medical management with 90.8% success rate. The mean duration of admission was shortest with surgical
management (2.03 ± 1.1 days) and post‑abortion infection rate was 11 (2.6%). Histology confirmed product of conception in 98%
and molar gestation in 2% of the samples; no mortality was recorded in this study.
Conclusion: More than half of women with miscarriages had no identifiable risk factors mainly due to limitation in facilities for
evaluation; there is a need to improve facilities for investigating women with spontaneous abortions in developing countries to
identify the causes of the losses.
Description
Keywords
Miscarriage, Outcome, Spontaneous abortion