Clinical Profile and Intra-Hospital Outcomes of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy in Ibadan, Nigeria

The clinical profile of the disease in southern Nigeria is less reported. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and intra-hospital outcomes of PPCM in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria.

We reviewed 69 cases of PPCM seen in Nigerian Women at the University College Hospital Ibadan between 2006 and 2021.

The mean age at presentation was 30.5 ± 6.7 years (age range 18 - 46 years). The mean BMI was 23.5 kg/M². Most were from the low socio-economic group (47/68.1%) and presented postpartum. The majority were primipara; twin pregnancy was seen in four (5.8%), and PIH occurred in 10 (14.5%) cases. Heart failure was the most typical mode of presentation. Over 90% of the women had spontaneous vertex delivery. Fetal death was recorded in three (4.3%). Two women died. Both presented with severe heart failure and died within few days on admission.

PPCM in Ibadan, Nigeria, is relatively a disease of primipara from poor homes and in unbooked pregnant women. Improvement in maternal health will be invaluable in prevention of the condition in Nigeria.