Retained placenta aspect of clinical management in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Retained placenta is a significant cause of postpartum haemorrhage, maternal morbidity and occasionally mortality. This study assessed the clinical presentation, management and outcomes of retained placenta at the Ebonyi State University teaching Hospital.


METHODS
Analysis of records relating to retained placenta managed in the hospital over a three year period (August 2003 to July 2006.


RESULTS
The incidence of retained placenta was 0.22% (1 in 456 vaginal deliveries). Eleven (32.4%) patients were admitted with retained placenta following home delivery. Two (5.6%) delivery in a peripheral hospital, 6 (17.7%) delivered in a. Health center and 2 (5.9%) delivered in a maternity home. Preterm deliveries accounted for 17.7% of the cases. Eighteen parturient were admitted in shock. One patient had hysterectomy for adherent placenta.


CONCLUSIONS
Improved peripatum services, education on the dangers of unsupervised home deliveries, women empowernment and prompt referral for emergency obstetrics care will reduce the associated mortality and morbidity.
Agwu
U M
UM
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. vehgorsafeway@yahoo.com
Umeora
O U J
OU
Ejikeme
B N
BN
Egwuatu
V E
VE
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D018457:Placenta, Retained / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors