Publication:

Expectant management of chronic abruption-oligohydramnios sequence in a resource-limited setting: a case report

The chronic abruption-oligohydramnios sequence (CAOS) is a rare obstetric condition that may follow a prolonged clinical course. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman who delivered a live newborn at Sainte-Thérèse Hospital in Hinche, 34 days after an ultrasound detected a retroplacental hematoma at 29 weeks and 4 days of gestation. The patient presented with vaginal bleeding accompanied by hypogastric and sacrolumbar pain. Initially hospitalized for preterm labor, a retroplacental hematoma was then detected on ultrasound. Two days later, she was readmitted for severe preeclampsia complicated by placental abruption, and a conservative approach was adopted. On day 32 of hospitalization, she delivered via cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Despite the complication, the patient had a good outcome. This case illustrates that expectant management may be considered in cases of abruptio placentae that are likely to become chronic, even in a rural, resource-limited setting.