Emergency obstetrics care in a Nigerian tertiary hospital: a 20 year review of umblical cord prolapse.

CONTEXT Umbilical cord prolapse is an obstetric emergency associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality unless prompt delivery by the fastest and safest route is carried out. OBJECTIVES To determine the incidence of umbilical cord prolapse, predisposing factors, and fetal outcome. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS A 20 year retrospective study of all women who presented with umbilical cord prolapse at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, North-Eastern Nigeria. RESULTS During the study period there were 27,753 deliveries and 75 women had cord prolapse, giving the incidence of 1 in 370 deliveries (0.27%). Significantly more patients with non vertex presentation, twins and preterm delivery had cord prolapse. The highest occurrence was in those with unengaged presenting part (65.2%), spontaneous rupture of membrances (62.1%) and grandmultiparous women (57.6%). Caeserean section was carried out in 50% of cases, with mean decision-delivery interval of 77.1 +/- 21.7 minutes and 28/33 (84.9%) of babies delivered within 60 minute had normal Apgar scores. The Knee-chest position was most commonly used method of alleviating cord compression while arrangement for caesarean section was being made. The perinatal mortality was 27.3%. CONCLUSION umbilical cord prolapse is a brisk obstetric emergency with high perinatal morbidity and mortality unless prompt delivery is undertaken. Better communication and prompt response to emergency by the theatre team to reduce the decision-delivery interval would improve the perinatal outcome.