title: Analysis of 348 consecutive cases of primary postpartum haemorrhage at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.
abstract: A retrospective analysis of 348 cases of primary postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) that occurred at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 1996 was carried out. The incidence of PPH was 4.5%. Booking status of the patients had no relation with occurrence of PPH in this study (P>0.05). The risk of PPH in advanced maternal age (over 35 years) and grandmultiparity (para 5 and over) was twofold higher than low maternal age (<25 years) and low parity (para 0-1), P<0.05, respectively. The incidence of PPH was higher in deliveries conducted by midwives than doctors (P<0.05). Anaemic patients (PCV< or =30%) were more at risk than non-anaemic patients (P<0.05). Uterine atony, 183 (53.8%) was the most common cause of PPH and a combination of uterotonic agents and uterine massage were effective in controlling PPH in 171 (49.1%) of the cases. Seven (2.0%) patients required hysterectomy. One-third of the patients had a blood transfusion. To reduce the incidence of PPH, we recommend that doctors should supervise the delivery of parturients at risk of PPH and advocate health education against high parity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ijaiya
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Aboyeji
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abubakar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000150:complications