title: The Feto-Maternal Outcome of Preeclampsia with Severe Features and Eclampsia in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preeclampsia with severe features and eclampsia has remained a serious challenge in tropical obstetric practice. It is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed at determining the prevalence, the risk factors and feto-maternal outcome of preeclampsia with severe features and eclampsia in Abakaliki.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a 5-year retrospective case-control study of preeclampsia with severe features and eclampsia at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. Case notes of preeclampsia with severe features and eclampsia between January 2008 and December, 2012 were retrieved. Similarly, the case file of next parturient that did not have any medical disease was included in the study. The cases and controls were selected at the ratio of 1:1. The data assessed were information on maternal age, parity, booking status, diagnosis, mode of delivery, complications, maternal and perinatal outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 13,750 deliveries were recorded within the study period. The prevalence of preeclampsia with severe features and eclampsia were 136(0.99%) and 104(0.76%) respectively. Preeclampsia with severe features and eclampsia was more common among adolescents, rural dwellers, poorly educated, unemployed, unbooked and nulliparous women. It was more associated with preterm delivery, caesarean section, low birth weight babies, maternal and perinatal mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preeclampsia with severe features and eclampsia is common among the adolescents, unbooked, rural, and low socio-economic group of women in this study. It has also contributed to high maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is need for policy makers to formulate policies toward female education, women empowerment and provision of social amenities in rural areas. These policies may reverse the current ugly trend in this environment.
authors: Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria , Enugu Campus .
authors: Leonard Ogbonna
authors: LO
authors: Ajah
authors: Senior Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Teaching Hospital , Abakaliki .
authors: Nelson Chukwudi
authors: NC
authors: Ozonu
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ebonyi State University /Federal Teaching Hospital , Abakaliki .
authors: Paul Olisaemeka
authors: PO
authors: Ezeonu
authors: Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ebonyi State University/ Federal Teaching Hospital , Abakaliki .
authors: Lucky Osaheni
authors: LO
authors: Lawani
authors: Senior Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ebonyi State University/Federal TeachingHospital, Abakaliki.
authors: Johnson Akuma
authors: JA
authors: Obuna
authors: Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, Ebonyi State University/Federal Teaching Hospital , Abakaliki .
authors: Emeka Ogah
authors: EO
authors: Onwe
keywords: Hypertension; Obstetric practice; Proteinuria