UMBILICAL-CORD PROLAPSE - A CLINICAL-STUDY OF 60 CASES SEEN AT OBAFEMI-AWOLOWO-UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ILE-IFE

The incidence of umbilical cord prolapse at Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital complex, Ile-Ife over a ten year period was 0.42% t one in 240 deliveries). The incidence was observed to be higher among the unbooked patients (76.7%), Analysis of the 60 eases reveals that m ultiparity, unengaged presenting part from cephalo-peivic disproportio n, prematurity, prelabour spontaneous rupture of membranes, breech pre sentation, and multiple pregnancy were the major contributory factors. The perinatal mortality (36.7%) was significantly higher than that of the hospital which was 8% (P<0.05). The perinatal mortality rate was higher among the unhooked patients (86.4%). Caesarean section gave bet ter results except when the cenix was fully dilated. Early resort to C aesarean section, groper and adequate antenatal care and properly supe rvised hospital delivery is recommended.