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Published on: January 7, 2014
Acute abdomen in pregnancy
M El-Amin Ali1, M Yahia Al-Shehri, Z M Zaki
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Medical School, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Summary
Acute abdomen in pregnancy due to non-obstetric causes is high in Saudi Arabia. Early surgical intervention improves maternal and fetal outcomes, while tocolytics are ineffective and cause side effects.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Surgical Gastroenterology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Acute abdomen in pregnancy presents diagnostic challenges due to altered symptomatology.
- Non-obstetric causes of acute abdomen are frequently encountered in pregnant populations.
- Pregnancy can mask or mimic symptoms of acute abdominal conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of acute abdomen in pregnancy from non-obstetric causes in a Saudi population.
- To investigate the etiology and altered presentation of acute abdomen during pregnancy.
- To evaluate the impact of early surgical intervention and tocolytics on maternal and fetal health.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analytical study conducted at Asir Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia.
- Inclusion of sixty pregnant Saudi females admitted with acute abdomen of non-obstetric origin.
- Analysis of outcomes related to early surgical intervention and tocolytic use.
Main Results:
- A high incidence of acute abdomen (0.39%) due to non-obstetric causes was observed.
- Pregnancy-induced physiological changes masked clinical signs, leading to delayed surgical intervention and increased maternal morbidity.
- Early surgical intervention significantly improved perinatal outcomes (P < 0.001) and reduced maternal morbidity (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Non-obstetric acute abdomen in pregnancy occurs with higher frequency in this population.
- Delayed surgical intervention negatively impacts maternal and fetal health.
- Tocolytics demonstrated ineffectiveness and adverse fetal side effects, without improving fetal outcomes.
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