Teka Hale, Alemayehu Mussie, Yemane Awol, Abrha Marta, Gebremariam Tsega, Berhe Ephrem, Abera Bisrat Tesfay, Tekle Ashenafi, Tadesse Habtom, Abraha Hiluf Ebuy, Berhe Yibrah
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
Department of Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
PLoS One. 2025 Jul 11;20(7):e0328007. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328007. eCollection 2025.
Obstructed labor remains a significant direct obstetric complication that leads to increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in resource-poor settings. Understanding the prevalence, clinical profile and maternal and perinatal outcomes is critical to developing targeted interventions to improve maternal and neonatal survival.
An institutional based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (ACSH) in Tigray, Ethiopia, between 2017 and 2021. Sociodemographic, obstetric and clinical data as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes were extracted and analysed using descriptive statistics.
The prevalence of obstructed labor during the study period was 0.38% [95% CI: 0.36% to 0.42%]. The mean age of the mothers was 30 years (SD = 6.04), half were between 25 and 34 years old. Most mothers (89%) were from the Tigray region, while the remaining were from neighbouring districts of Afar and Amhara regional states. More than two-thirds of these mothers lived in rural areas. Eighty-two percent attended at least one antenatal care visit, and 87% were referred. The average duration of labor was 14.5 hours [IQR = 8.24]. On admission, 28% were hypotensive, 65% were tachypneic, and nearly 68% had no fetal cardiac activity. Maternal complications included uterine rupture (65%), anemia (78%), postpartum hemorrhage (71%), and sepsis (23%). There were two maternal deaths. Cephalopelvic disproportion was present in 73% of cases. There were dismal neonatal outcomes with 70% mortality.
Obstructed labor continues to be a life-threatening obstetric emergency in this region, resulting in severe maternal complications, maternal deaths and extremely high neonatal mortality rates. Strengthening referral systems, improving capacity for emergency obstetric care, raising public awareness and early interventions are essential to reduce these avoidable burdens and achieve maternal and neonatal health goals.
产程梗阻仍然是一种严重的直接产科并发症，会导致孕产妇和新生儿发病率及死亡率增加，尤其是在资源匮乏地区。了解其患病率、临床特征以及孕产妇和围产期结局对于制定有针对性的干预措施以提高孕产妇和新生儿存活率至关重要。
2017年至2021年期间，在埃塞俄比亚提格雷的艾德尔综合专科医院（ACSH）开展了一项基于机构的回顾性横断面研究。提取社会人口统计学、产科和临床数据以及孕产妇和新生儿结局，并使用描述性统计方法进行分析。
研究期间产程梗阻的患病率为0.38%[95%置信区间：0.36%至0.42%]。母亲的平均年龄为30岁（标准差=6.04），一半年龄在25至34岁之间。大多数母亲（89%）来自提格雷地区，其余来自阿法尔和阿姆哈拉地区州的邻近地区。这些母亲中超过三分之二生活在农村地区。82%的母亲至少进行过一次产前检查，87%被转诊。平均产程为14.5小时[四分位距=8.24]。入院时，28%的产妇血压低，65%呼吸急促，近68%无胎心活动。孕产妇并发症包括子宫破裂（65%）、贫血（78%）、产后出血（71%）和败血症（23%）。有两例孕产妇死亡。73%的病例存在头盆不称。新生儿结局不佳，死亡率为70%。
在该地区，产程梗阻仍然是危及生命的产科急症，会导致严重的孕产妇并发症、孕产妇死亡和极高的新生儿死亡率。加强转诊系统、提高产科急诊护理能力、提高公众意识和早期干预对于减轻这些可避免的负担并实现孕产妇和新生儿健康目标至关重要。
