The Benefits of a Guideline on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications: An Illustrative Case Report of a Hydranencephaly

Afr J Reprod Health. 2019 Jun;23(2):148-151. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2019/v23i2.14.

Abstract

After years of the worsening burden of unsafe abortion and attendant morbidities and mortalities in Nigeria, a National Guideline on the Safe termination of pregnancy for legal indications was enunciated. This report presents and discusses an illustrative case of a hydranencephaly that benefited from it. A 43-year old multipara was informed during routine ultrasonography at booking for antenatal care, at 16 weeks of gestation, of a major defect in her baby and advised to meet her physician. Following a repeat high- resolution ultrasonography and discussions between the Obstetricians, Neurosurgeon, and Ultrasonologist, the woman was counseled on the diagnosis. At her insistence and provision of written consent, medical abortion with Mifepristone and Misoprostol was successfully instituted.

Keywords: Hydranencephaly; Pregnancy termination; abortion; misoprostol.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / administration & dosage
  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal
  • Abortion, Induced / methods*
  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydranencephaly / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mifepristone / administration & dosage
  • Mifepristone / therapeutic use*
  • Misoprostol / administration & dosage
  • Misoprostol / therapeutic use*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal
  • Misoprostol
  • Mifepristone