Uterine fibroid characteristics and complications in early pregnancy ultrasound scan; a retrospective analytical study at RAAJ Specialist Scan in Southern Ghana

Abstract This study assessed the correlation between uterine fibroid characteristics and the complications of early pregnancy using ultrasound scan. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 174 women within 10weeks of gestation from November 2020 to October 2021 at a single specialist facility in Cape Coast metropolis. Patients’ age, indications, gestational age, fetal heart rate, presence of fibroids, presence of placenta, characteristics of the fibroids (size, number, location and echopattern), and early pregnancy complications. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics, Fisher exact was used to compare proportions and Pearson correlation tests to assess associations at p < 0.05. The prevalence of fibroid in early pregnancy was 31.61%. The majority of the fibroids (63.64%, 35) were intramural, located in the upper segment and often multiple but the mean size of the largest fibroids was 5.63 (SD 3.16) cm. The incidence of fetal death was higher among women without fibroids (3.36%) compared to those with fibroid (1.82%). Threatened miscarriages (2.30%), and missed abortion (2.30%) were commonest ultrasound abnormalities. There was no significant correlation between fibroid characteristics and early pregnancy complications. Ultrasound investigation of uterine fibroid is essential in early pregnancy to target treatment intervention for better fetal and maternal health outcomes.