Serious Obstetrical Complications Admitted in an Intensive Care Unit in Benin

Abstract

Introduction: Most complications in pregnancy, delivery or post natal period are managed by obstetricians. However, some are admitted to intensive care units (ICU), for ressucitation. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical profils of patients admitted in the intensive care unit for serious obstetrical complications at the University Associated Hospital of Mother and Child (CHU-MEL). Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective data collection from October 1 to from October 1 to December 31, 2019. Were included pregnant and women delivered and within 42 days of the postpartum period admitted to the intensive unit care and presenting one of the criteria of severe maternal morbidity as defined by the EPIMOMS study. The analysis of the data was done with the STATA software. Results: The proportion of admissions to the intensive care unit was 15.44%. The patients were young (mean age 27 years), educated (76.19%), primigravida (39.05%), primiparous (38.1%) and without any particular history (85.71%). Most of them were referred from the peripheral health centers. The main reasons were complications of hypertension during pregnancy (53.33%), bleeding complications (42.86%) and infectious complications (7.62%). The most used products were antibiotics (92.38%), analgesics (89.52%), uterotonics (82.66%), anticoagulants (75.24%), magnesium sulfate (51.43%). Conclusion: Serious obstetrical complications are frequent. Their management needs an ICU well equipped especially in reference hospital. It is important that the references respect the norms to avoid that the patients arrive in a critical state.