The outcome of babies born from pre-eclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies at Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
This dissertation presents results of a retrospective
Study of 156 pre-eclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies at the
obstetric unit of Kenyatta National Hospital during a two
year period from 1980 to 1981. There were 167 babies delivered
out of which 49(29.3%) died perinatally.
A significantly high perinatal mortality rate
was observed. The morbidity of these babies in terms
of intra-uterine growth retartlation, low birth weight
and asphyxia was also high. The factors that appeared
to contribute a major role towards the unfavourable
outcome of the pregnancies were severe toxaemia, early
termination of pregnancy, high rates of vacuum deliveries
and caesarian sections, inadequate antenatal care and
low socio-economic status. Other factors that appeared
to contribute a relatively lesser role were twin pregnancy,
foetal distress and neonatal septicaemia.
Several recommendations are suggested that would
improve the well being and survival of the babies from
toxaemic pregnancies. These are, effective antenatal
care, availability of properly trained medical auxiliaries,
co-operation of the paediatricians and obstetricians and
the long term efforts to raise the economic status of the .
community. The need of a simple and effective drug regime
is also stressed.
Citation
Masters of Medicine (Paediatrics)Publisher
University of Nairobi School of Medicine