Term Pregnancy in a Bicornuate Uterus: Complications, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in a Low Resource Setting (Douala, Cameroon)
A. A. Tazinya
Mboppi Baptist Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon and Medical Doctors Research Group Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
V. F. Feteh
Mboppi Baptist Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon and Medical Doctors Research Group Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
R. C. Ngu
Mboppi Baptist Hospital Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
N. N. Bechem
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Nottingham University, England.
G. E. Halle-Ekane
Department of Obstetrics/ Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Severe uterine malformations are usually associated with infertility. Furthermore, a term pregnancy in the case of a severe uterine malformation is rare because spontaneous abortions and uterine ruptures are not uncommon before the third trimester. Pregnancies in bicornuate uteruses are difficult to diagnose and manage when advanced; especially in low-resource settings with suboptimal antenatal care (ANC). Maternal and foetal outcomes in such cases are usually poor when the diagnosis is missed. A high index of suspicion, appropriate investigations and management should be provided not only to reduce the maternal and foetal complications but also to improve on the prognosis in subsequent pregnancies. We report a case of a term pregnancy in bicornuate uterus; its diagnostic, therapeutic challenges and outcome.
Keywords: Bicornuate uterus, pregnancy, poor outcome, Cameroon.