Preeclampsia now leading cause of maternal deaths in Nigeria, lkubese warns

By Dayo Johnson 

The Medical Director of Sckyé Hospitals Ltd, Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, has warned that preeclampsia and eclampsia are now the leading causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria, and urged pregnant women to register early for antenatal care and report any warning signs immediately.

Ikubese gave the warning in Akure,  while addressing pregnant women at the hospital’s weekly antenatal clinic. 

He noted that May 22 is observed globally as World Preeclampsia Day, a date set aside by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about the condition.

According to him, “Preeclampsia is a new-onset hypertensive disorder that develops after 20 weeks of gestation in a pregnant woman who previously had normal blood pressure.

“The condition is divided into two categories: Preeclampsia without severe features: blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher, measured on two occasions at least 4 hours apart, preeclampsia with severe features; blood pressure of 160/110 mmHg or higher on two occasions at least 4 hours apart, plus any of the following: Thrombocytopenia: platelet count less than 100,000 per microliter; renal insufficiency: creatinine greater than 1.1 mg/dL or double the normal value without another cause.

Others include impaired liver function: upper or right upper quadrant abdominal pain, or liver enzymes at least twice the normal level, cerebral or visual disturbances, pulmonary edema, severe headache and uteroplacental insufficiency with fetal growth restriction.

“No pregnant woman deserves to die from preeclampsia or eclampsia,” Ikubese said.

“The disease gives telltale signs and symptoms, but they are often ignored by those affected.”

He said the condition has become the leading cause of maternal death in Nigeria, making public awareness critical for both pregnant and non-pregnant women.

While the exact cause remains unknown, several factors increase a woman’s risk, he stated:” that they include “Chronic hypertension before pregnancy, Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes type 1 or 2, kidney disease, lupus, and antiphospholipid syndrome, obesity, first-time pregnancy, multiple gestation and IVF-conceived pregnancy.

Others include interpregnancy interval of 10 years or more, family history of preeclampsia, advanced maternal age, over 40 years and history of preeclampsia in a previous pregnancy

Ikubese urged pregnant women to register for antenatal care early, attend all scheduled appointments, and go to the hospital immediately if they notice any of the symptoms listed above.

“Early detection and management save lives. Do not wait or self-medicate when you notice changes in your body,” he said.

World Preeclampsia Day is observed annually on May 22 to improve understanding, early detection, and management of the condition worldwide.

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