Rupture of a previously scarred uterus during second trimester misoprostol-induced labour for a missed abortion: A case report

Misoprostol is useful in ripening the cervix prior to mid-trimester termination of pregnancy. It is particularly indicated in cases of missed abortions whether the uterus is scarred or not. The procedure is safe in the majority of cases. We present a case of uterine rupture during induction of labour with vaginal misoprostol for a missed abortion at 23 weeks gestation in a woman with one previous lower segment caesarean scar. We decided to present this case in order to alert practitioners that although the practice is safe in the majority of cases, there are risks of uterine rupture. Clinics in Mother and Child Health Vol. 3(1) 2006: 501-50

Caeserean section for preeclampsia-eclampsia at the University Teaching Hospital (CHU) Yaounde

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of caeserean section indicated for preeclampsia-eclampsia, describe the clinical features and evaluate the maternofoetal outcome. A retrospective review of all cases of caeserean section between January 2002 and December 2003 to identify all cases of caeserean deliveries indicated for deterioration of maternal condition despite medical treatment of preeclampsia-eclampsia. Cases indicated for acute foetal distress were excluded. Forty-six out of the 565 caeserean deliveries were indicated for preeclampsia-eclampsia giving a frequency of 8.1%. Up to 54.5% of all the 33 retrieved files were evacuated cases. The majority were young women less than 25years (63.6%) and usually nulliparous (60.6%). Only 45.5% of paturients had a first trimester baseline blood pressure. Evidence of the deterioration of maternal conditions was suggested by the persistence of severe hypertension, seizures (45.5%), visual disturbances (24.2%), headache (15.2%) or epigastralgia (12.1%). Maternal morbidity was dominated by anaemia (51.5%). No case of maternal death following caesarean delivery was recorded during this period. Neonatal morbidity was due to prematurity (36.4%) or intrauterine growth restriction (9.1%). Perinatal mortality up to the first 24 hours postpartum was 12.1%. Mother and Child Health Clinics Vol. 1(3) 2004: 166-17

Standard gestational birth weight ranges and Curve in Yaounde, Cameroon

The aim of this study was to establish standard ranges and curve of mean gestational birth weights validated by ultrasonography for the Cameroonian population in Yaoundé. This cross sectional study was carried out in the Obstetrics & Gynaecology units of 4 major hospitals in the metropolis between March 5 and December 20, 2004, using pre-coded questionnaires. A total of 546 birth weights of neonates delivered to Cameroonian mothers whose duration of pregnancy were validated to be at least 28 weeks were recruited. The data was analysed using the statistical package SPSS 10.0. There was a statistically significant correlation between mean birth weight and mean gestational age (r=0.792,