Preterm caesarean section in Nigerian obstetric practice.

A retrospective study of cases of preterm caesarean section was carried out at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital between January 1985 and December 1989. A total of 1973 caesarean sections were performed; 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 preeclampsia, placenta previa, and premature rupture of membranes. The perinatal 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 reduce the incidence of preterm caesarean section and its attendant complications in our hospital practice.