Prevalence and Determinants of Maternal and Perinatal Outcome of Preeclampsia at a Tertiary Hospital in Ethiopia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia is a common pregnancy disorder with potential adverse maternal and
neonatal outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of maternal and perinatal outcome
of preeclampsia at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (ACSH),
is a tertiary hospital in northern Ethiopia where most preeclamptic patients are treated.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of preeclamptic patients treated at ACSH between
September 1, 2015 and August 31, 2018. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were applied for different
variables. P value <.05 was taken as statistically significant.
RESULTS: Over the study period, the total number of deliveries recorded was 8,502. There were 362 patients
with preeclampsia. The poor maternal outcome was present in 40% of cases while 25% of cases had poor perinatal
outcomes. The top three poor maternal outcomes reported in this study were maternal death (2.8%), eclampsia
(6.6%), and renal failure (1.1%). Headache (AOR 32.26 95% CI 0.03-32.60 and low hemoglobin value (AOR 15.94
95% CI 2.34-108.81) were associated with poor maternal outcome. The poor perinatal outcomes were stillbirths
(5.8%), early neonatal deaths (1.1%), and low APGAR score (18.8%). Earlier gestational age at diagnosis (AOR 2.15
95% CI 1.22-3.79) was associated with poor perinatal outcome.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: In a resource-limited setting where diagnostic
tools are scarce, the clinical profile should be taken into consideration for prediction of poor outcome. Owing to the
association found between maternal outcome and hemoglobin, further prospective research is required to identify
if anemia was the cause or effect of preeclampsia.
KEYWORDS: Preeclampsia, maternal, perinatal, outcome, Ayder, Ethiopia