Patterns of Routine Antenatal Laboratory Test Results at Booking in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives:To determine the patterns of routine antenatal care laboratory test results at booking in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Enugu, and to review the literature on the subject. Methods:The registers for the results of routine laboratory tests at booking in ESUTH, Enugu were reviewed from April 1, 2014 to August 31, 2016. Data on age, blood group, rhesus status, hemoglobin genotype, packed cell volume; human immunodeficiency virus screening (HIV), venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) and hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) tests at booking were collected and analyzed with Excel 2007 software. The results were presented in tables, percentages and graphs.Results: A total of 5293 mothers were tested; 2706 (51.12%) and 2500 (47.23%) of them were of ages <30 and 30-40 years respectively (Table 1). Table 2 showed the commonest blood group was 'O' 3062(57.85%). Most of the mothers 4811(90.89%) were Rhesus D positive while 482(9.11%) of them were negative. Hemoglobin genotype results were: AA 4066(76.82%), AS 1217(22.99%), and SS 8(0.15%). About 3819(72.15%) had packed cell volume of 31% and above. Table 3 revealed 232(4.83%) women tested positive to HIV, but 17(0.32%) only were new cases. Twenty eight (0.53%) women were reactive to VDRL while 166(3.14%) tested positive to HBsAg test. Many women 5061(95.62%) and 5127(96.86%) tested negative to HIV and HBsAg tests respectively. Conclusion:Most women are young (<40 years), have blood group O rhesus D positive, hemoglobin AA genotype, and are not anemic at booking. Many women are non-reactive to VDRL, HIV and HBsAg tests; and are vulnerable to infections. The marked reductions on SS genotype, VDRL and HIV new cases in this study have justified the critical preventive role of routine ANC laboratory tests in our current obstetric practice and the need for the continuation of the practice.

Spectrum of ultrasonographic findings in gynaecological emergencies in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

“…This is similar to studies done by other authors. 10,[14][15][16][17] The high occurrence of abortion among the study population in this study like that seen in other studies is due to the fact that gynaecological emergencies are commoner in the reproductive age group. The most frequently demonstrated finding in the PRGEs was retained products of conception (incomplete abortion), accounting for about 38% of all the USS diagnosis of PRGEs.…”

“…Similar findings for ectopic pregnancy (3% USS diagnosis, and 5% PRGEs) in this study were also recorded by Okafor and Dabota with incidence of 4.3% and 5.3% respectively. 14,15 Higher values were obtained by Gawade 6.7%, Reddi 18.8% and Sofat 18.8%. 16,19,20 In Benin, Oronsanye got 2.3% in his study, Takai in Kano got 13.2%, Akaba found 2.7% in his study on ectopic pregnancy in Nigeria women.…”

“…Values obtained were largely similar to those done in Kano by Takai et al and in Enugu by Okafor, with only mild variations occurring in the forms of abortion. 10,14 Variations were seen with the study done by Buowari in Kebbi. 15 There was some variation in the clinical and ultrasonographic findings in the frequency of the forms of abortion seen in this study.…”

“…This finding was lower than that seen by Ikechebelu et al in Nnewi, Anambra state where 3.5% of the patients had bleeding gynaecological malignancies, and Okafor in Enugu who got a prevalence of 2.3%. 13,14 Abortions accounted for 57.3% of all the total number of gynaecological emergencies seen in the emergency department during the study period. Values obtained were largely similar to those done in Kano by Takai et al and in Enugu by Okafor, with only mild variations occurring in the forms of abortion.…”

“…This result varied from that obtained by Gawade et al and Bhattacharya. 14,16,18 Missed abortion made up 13.5% of the diagnosis on USS. This was different from the findings done by other authors where missed abortion made up 22% and 20%.…”