Fetomaternal hemorrhage among pregnant women in Accra, Ghana
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Date
2019-07-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Abstract
Objective: To determine the occurrence of and risk factors for fetomaternal hemorrhage
(FMH) among pregnant women at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana.
Methods: A prospective study of FMH among pregnant women without hemoglobinopathies
in the second trimester attending prenatal care between October 2015 and
May 2016 performed using the Kleihauer-Betke
test. Volume of FMH was estimated;
ABO and Rh blood groups of participants were determined. A data extraction form and
structured questionnaire were used to collect demographic and clinical information, and
data on risk factors.
Results: Of 151 participants, 32 (21.2%) had FMH. Almost 18% (n=27) had FMH at
baseline (16–24 weeks), 10% (10/100) at 28–32 weeks, and 11.1% (11/99) at
34–37 weeks of pregnancy. Volume of FMH was less than 30 mL in 30 (19.9%) women,
whereas it was greater than 30 mL in 2 (1.3%) women. No identifiable patient-specific
factors were associated with occurrence of FMH.
Conclusion: FMH is common among pregnant women in Ghana and can occur as early
as 16 weeks, without identifiable risk factors. RhD negative women who may be
pregnant
with RhD positive fetuses should be screened early in pregnancy, not only at
delivery, for occurrence of FMH.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Alloimmunization, Fetomaternal hemorrhage, Gestational age, Ghana, Pregnancy, Risk factors