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Eclampsia: a continuing problem in developing countries
Author(s) -
Moodley J.,
Daya P.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(94)90016-7
Subject(s) - medicine , eclampsia , developing country , obstetrics , pregnancy , economic growth , genetics , economics , biology
OBJECTIVES: To assess whether improvement in antenatal services over the years 1980–1990 led to a decline in the incidence of eclampsia in a third world setting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all eclamptic patients seen during the years 1980 and 1990 at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa. RESULTS: The incidence of eclampsia in 1980 was 2.8/1000 deliveries and 6/1000 deliveries in 1990. There was a slight decline in maternal mortality from 12% in 1980 to 9% in 1990. CONCLUSIONS: Eclampsia remains a continuing problem in developing countries despite improvements in antenatal care and facilities. In this retrospective analysis, a decline in maternal mortality has been demonstrated in spite of an increase in the prevalence of eclampsia.