Bolanle O Ibitoye1, Adewale O Adisa2, Olufemiwa N Makinde3, Adebimpe O Ijarotimi3. 1. Department of Radiology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. 2. Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Electronic address: wadisc@yahoo.com. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of gallstone disease and its complications among pregnant women in a semi-urban Nigerian setting. METHODS: Consecutive consenting pregnant women presenting at the prenatal clinic of a Nigerian tertiary hospital were recruited over an 18-month period. During routine obstetric ultrasound, the presence of gallstones and/or associated sequelae was investigated. Patients' sociodemographic data and hemoglobin genotype were documented. RESULTS: Overall, 1283 pregnant women (14-43 years of age) were included in the study. Thirty-seven (2.9%) had sonographic evidence of gallstones, 26 (2%) had biliary sludge, and 2 (0.2%) had gallbladder polyps. Twenty-one (56.8%) of the 37 women with gallstones were 30 years of age or younger. Only 1 (1.2%) of 85 selected women in the first trimester of pregnancy with no gallstones who were followed throughout pregnancy developed gallstones in the third trimester. Overall, 3 (0.2%) women had clinical and radiologic evidence of acute calculous cholecystitis, 2 of whom underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy after delivery. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated a low prevalence of gallstone disease and its acute complications among pregnant Nigerian women in a semi-urban setting.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of gallstone disease and its complications among pregnant women in a semi-urban Nigerian setting. METHODS: Consecutive consenting pregnant women presenting at the prenatal clinic of a Nigerian tertiary hospital were recruited over an 18-month period. During routine obstetric ultrasound, the presence of gallstones and/or associated sequelae was investigated. Patients' sociodemographic data and hemoglobin genotype were documented. RESULTS: Overall, 1283 pregnant women (14-43 years of age) were included in the study. Thirty-seven (2.9%) had sonographic evidence of gallstones, 26 (2%) had biliary sludge, and 2 (0.2%) had gallbladder polyps. Twenty-one (56.8%) of the 37 women with gallstones were 30 years of age or younger. Only 1 (1.2%) of 85 selected women in the first trimester of pregnancy with no gallstones who were followed throughout pregnancy developed gallstones in the third trimester. Overall, 3 (0.2%) women had clinical and radiologic evidence of acute calculous cholecystitis, 2 of whom underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy after delivery. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated a low prevalence of gallstone disease and its acute complications among pregnant Nigerian women in a semi-urban setting.