Rising preeclampsia cases alarm doctors at JOOTRH

Medical specialists at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) have raised the alarm over a rise in pregnancy-related complications.

Over the past year, the facility has recorded a significant increase in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

Hospital data shows that nearly 30 out of every 300 women delivering at JOOTRH now present with high blood pressure during pregnancy.

 This is a substantial rise from previous averages of seven cases per 300 births.

Health workers report the condition is appearing earlier than expected, with some cases diagnosed before 20 weeks of gestation.

Deputy director of Nursing and Maternity Nurse Manager Rosebella Apollo said; “We are seeing more mothers coming in with severe hypertension much earlier than typically described in international guidelines.”

“This raises serious concern and calls for further research into the underlying causes.”

According to the World Health Organization, pre-eclampsia usually develops after 20 weeks and can damage vital organs if untreated.

At JOOTRH, complications are becoming increasingly severe.

 In a single month, seven pregnant women developed acute kidney injury linked to pre-eclampsia, requiring dialysis.

Many patients are referred from smaller regional facilities, increasing the pressure on the hospital.

“This trend is worrying because many mothers arrive in critical condition,” Apollo said.

The rise in cases was highlighted during a visit by the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance team and representatives from the National Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) programme.

The delegation, led by Dr Victor Akelo, toured the maternity and newborn units to review collaborative research and identify ways to strengthen clinical and laboratory services.

Dr Florence Aweyo said pre-eclampsia and eclampsia remain leading causes of maternal deaths in the facilities studied, including Kuoyo Health Centre, Siaya County Referral Hospital, Ting’wang’i Health Centre and JOOTRH.

To address this trend, health authorities have strengthened referral guidelines.

Lower-level facilities must now immediately refer suspected cases to JOOTRH for specialised management.

Consultants from the referral hospital are also conducting periodic visits to screen pregnant women and initiate early treatment.

Maternity healthcare workers have undergone specialised training to improve the early diagnosis and management of pregnancy-related hypertension.

The partnership with CHAMPS has also enhanced newborn care. This includes the donation of pulse oximeters and training on Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care, which promotes skin-to-skin contact for premature babies.

Senior Director of Nursing Services at JOOTRH Teresa Okiri emphasised the importance of collaboration.

“Working closely with research teams has helped improve clinical care and our understanding of maternal and newborn deaths,” she said.

Beyond research, the partnership has strengthened laboratory infrastructure and supported evidence-based decision-making.

Efforts are also underway to develop molecular diagnostic capacity to advance maternal and child health research.

Health experts stress that continued surveillance and research are critical to understanding why severe pregnancy-related hypertension is increasing and to identifying strategies to reduce maternal deaths in the region.