PRETERM CESAREAN-SECTION IN NIGERIAN OBSTETRIC PRACTICE

A retrospective study of cases of preterm caesarean section was carrie d out at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital between January 1 985 and December 1989. A total of 1973 caesarean sections were perform ed; 167 (8%) of these were preterm sections. Most of the patients were ''booked'' (133 cases, 80%) while 34 patients (20%) were ''unbooked.' ' The most common indications for preterm caesarean sections were pree clampsia, placenta previa, and premature rupture of membranes. The per inatal and maternal mortality were high: 257 per 1000 and 11 per 1000, respectively. Timely hospital admission, better intrapartum care, and vaginal delivery of very low birthweight babies are suggested to redu ce the incidence of preterm caesarean section and its attendant compli cations in our hospital practice.