Maternal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

Objective: To determine maternal outcomes of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 1 and February 28, 2013. All women delivering at KBTH whose pregnancies were complicated by hypertensive disorders were identified. A structured questionnaire was administered, and the women were followed up on a daily basis until discharge from hospital. Medical records were also reviewed to identify any complications of hypertensive disorders.

Results: A total of 368 women were analyzed. Of 10 maternal deaths, 3 (30.0%) were due to hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and specifically pre-eclampsia. Overall, 168 (45.7%) women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy delivered by cesarean, 16 (4.3%) had placental abruption, 11 (3.0%) had pulmonary edema, 3 (0.8%) had HELLP syndrome, 2 (0.5%) had acute renal failure, 3 (0.8%) had an intracerebral hemorrhage or cerebrovascular accident, 21 (5.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 7 (1.9%) had disseminated intravascular coagulation, and 58 (15.8%) had eclampsia. Cesarean delivery, admission to intensive care unit, and eclampsia were significantly more common in women with pre-eclampsia than in those with other hypertensive disorders.

Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy are associated with high incidences of adverse maternal outcomes in Ghana, with significantly increased frequencies in women with pre-eclampsia.

Keywords: Chronic hypertension; Eclampsia; Gestational hypertension; Maternal outcomes; Pre-eclampsia.