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Pseudocyesis in a rural southeast Nigerian community
Author(s) -
Ouj Umeora
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2008.00997.x
Subject(s) - medicine , referral , incidence (geometry) , population , pregnancy , amenorrhea , presentation (obstetrics) , obstetrics , pediatrics , family medicine , environmental health , physics , biology , optics , genetics
Context: Pseudocyesis is uncommon and probably under reported among the African population. Aims and Objectives: To document the incidence and presentation of false pregnancies in a Nigerian rural population. Methods: This involved a review of prospectively collected data on all patients who were diagnosed with pseudocyesis over a four‐year period in a Mission hospital. Results: Pseudocyesis occurred at a frequency of 1 in 344 pregnancies. The mean age was 33.6 years and the condition was found more commonly among poorly educated women. Amenorrhea was common among the subjects and 54% claimed they felt fetal movement. Ultrasound studies confirmed the absence of pregnancies in all cases. Management included counseling and referral to specialist clinical psychologists. Conclusion: Pseudocyesis is more common among the African population than in developed countries. Gynaecologists in these regions should have a high index of suspicion to diagnose this and assess the mental status of the subject and the precipitating factors.