LOCATIONS OF THE PLACENTA IN OBSTETRIC SONOGRAPHY AS SEEN IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, NIGERIA. SIMPLY A DESCRIPTIVE OR ROUTINE ASSESSMENT?
Keywords:
placenta location, antenatal care, obstetric sonography, fetal presentationAbstract
Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate possible role of the different sites of
placentation in relation to fetal lie and presentation.
Method: This was a retrospective antenatal sonographic study of 702 pregnant women attending the
obstetric clinic of University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria. The women had routine
indications for antenatal ultrasound examination as assessed by the referring obstetrician. Bio-data was
also recorded.
Results: The study showed age range of 18 – 42 years with a mean age of 27.1 ± 5.2years. The antenatal
obstetric sonographic examinations carried out showed that the placenta was anteriorly sited in 45.7%,
posteriorly in 30.2% fundo-anteriorly in 4.3% and fundo-posteriorly in 8.1%. Fetal presentation was
cephalic in relation to anteriorly sited placenta in 37.3%, posteriorly in 17.8% and fundally in 1.6%. Fetal
presentation was breech in relation to anteriorly sited placenta in 7.1%, posteriorly in 11.5% and
fundally in 0.4%.
Conclusion: The study has reported placenta location as seen in UBTH which may assist in improving the
antenatal maternal and fetal management.
