PERINATAL OUTCOME OF POST-TERM PREGNANCY AT SPHMMC, YEKATIT 12, & RASDESTA HOSPITALS

Abstract

<p><strong>Background:</strong><strong> </strong>Post-term pregnancy is defined as pregnancy that has extended to or beyond 42 weeks of gestation (294 days). The incidence varies with the study population. Post-term pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity.</p> <p><strong>Objective</strong>: The main objective of this study was to assess perinatal mortality and morbidities associated with post-term pregnancy at St. Paul’s hospital, Yekatit 12 Hospital, and Ras Desta hospital.</p> <p><strong>Methodology</strong>: Hospital based Cohort Study was conducted to determine the perinatal outcome of post-term pregnancy at St. Paul’s hospital, Yekatit 12 Hospital and Ras Desta Hospital. <strong>176 </strong>&nbsp;of post-term pregnancy were compared with <strong>352</strong> term pregnancy that fulfills the inclusion criteria. The ratio of exposed&nbsp; to non exposed was taken as 1: 2. Data was collected by trained BSC midwifes starting from July 1 to November 30,2017G.C. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 20 version. Relationship among the major variable were described by chi-square test (P&lt;0.05). &nbsp;In order to measure the association between an exposure and an outcome relative risk (RR, with 95% CI) was calculated. Logistic regression (using P&lt;0.05) were used to examine the relationship between the dependent and independent variables.</p> <p><strong>Results and Conclusions:</strong><strong> </strong>Perinatal mortality rate were found to be higher in post-term pregnancy (62.5 per 1000), compared with term &nbsp;pregnancy (25.6 per 1000) (P = 0.033). Neonatal morbidities such as low 5^th minute APGAR score and NICU referral rate were significantly associated with post-term pregnancy (P&lt;0.05). 34.1% of newborns of women with post-term pregnancy had features of post-maturity syndrome.</p> <strong>Recommendations</strong><strong>: </strong>To reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity associated with post-term pregnancy elective induction of labor before 42 weeks of gestation should be considered.