Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Eclamptic Patients at a Tertiary Institution in Lagos Nigeria.

This retrospective study was undertaken to profile the socio demographic characteristics of eclamptic patients seen at a state tertiary hospital over a five year period with a view to proffering suggestions on minimising between 1st January 1999 and 31st December 2003 were reviewed. This was part of a larger study which used a purposely designed proforma to obtain all the required information. The sociodemographic data was extracted and analysed. This incidence of eclampsia was 1.66%. The nulliparous patients constituted 65.4% of all cases. The incidence was highest in women under 30 years. More of the unbooked patients than the booked had eclampsia while most of the eclamptic patients (86.8%) belonged to the lowest social class. All the patients that presented very late were from the lowerst social class. The unbooked, young nulliparous woman is highlighted in this study as being most prone to the development of eclampsia. Special attention needs to be paid to this group to ensure regular antenatal clinic booking and attendance. Keywords: Sociodemographic, Eclampsia, Hospital, Hypertensive disorders.The Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 52 (4) 2007: pp. 91-9