Risk factors in relation with uterine rupture

To determine the risk factors in relation with uterine rupture in patients coming to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Case Control Study. The department of Gynecology and obstetric Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Karachi from January 2001 - December 2002. All cases of ruptured uterus who were either admitted with or who developed this complication in the hospital were included in the study. These cases were compared with their control i.e. women who delivered normal at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in the same period and did not develop rupture uterus; matched by same age parity socioeconomic status and area of residence. The cases were further divided in two groups, those with previously scarred uterus [n=20] and those with unscarred uterus [n=23]. Risk factors associated with uterine rupture included injudicious use of oxytocin by traditional birth attendants [TBAs] or unskilled persons [88%] no antenatal care [79%] or late referral by TBAs or Dais [58%] and obstructed labour [25.5%]. All cases referred by Dais had crossed the partographic alert line. In unscarred group oxytocin used injudiciously in all cases with no antenatal care [ANC] at all and late referral by Dais in 78% cases. Injudicious use of oxytocin and late referral by TBAs [Dais] and lack of Ante Natal Care are the significant risk factors for uterine rupture