Acute neurological disorders in women during pregnancy and peurperium

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-64
Author(s):  
Akhil Kulkarni M ◽  

Neurological disorders in women during pregnancy and puerperium are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy. There are certain neurological conditions which are specifically related to physiological changes during this period (eg: eclampsia, Sheehan’s syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome) and some disorders which have increased risk but not specific to women in pregnancy and puerperium (eg: cerebral venous thrombosis, infarction). As radiologists, an understanding of the patho physiological mechanism and imaging findings associated with these various conditions is necessary in timely diagnosis and initiating therapy which in turn helps prevent complications to both them other and the fetus. Any prophylaxis against these events should be particularly targeted to postpartum women, indicating the need to better identify pregnant women at increased risk.

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. e241240
Author(s):  
Ali Kerro

Neurological conditions are being more recognised in patients with COVID-19, with encephalopathy being the most prevalent problem. Posterior reversible encephalopathy is suspected to occur due to elevated blood pressure and overproduction of inflammatory markers, both of which have been reported in the setting of COVID-19 infection. Encephalopathy was the main presentation in this case, without respiratory dysfunction initially, and with imaging findings indicative of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome as an aetiology. Follow-up imaging showed resolution of the abnormal results with mental status returning to baseline upon discharge.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (06) ◽  
pp. 627-633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elie Sader ◽  
Melissa Rayhill

AbstractHeadache is a neurologic disorder that displays gender dichotomy. It is well established that there is a strong link between migraine headache and sex hormones, specifically estrogen, which influences the severity of migraines during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Furthermore, the epidemiology of headaches during pregnancy and the postpartum period is very distinct from that in males or nonpregnant females, in part due to the hemodynamic and hematologic changes that occur during pregnancy. These changes put women at higher risk for cerebral venous thrombosis, hemorrhagic stroke, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy like preeclampsia, eclampsia, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Headache in pregnancy and the puerperium can be a cause of heightened anxiety in most women, who are concerned not only about the effect of the headache itself on the pregnancy but also about the effect of the treatment options on the pregnancy and the fetus. In this review, we discuss the latest literature on type and distribution of headaches during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and provide a digestible overview of the safety profile of commonly used abortive and prophylactic medications. We also discuss important considerations when treating migraine during menopause.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 263349412092834
Author(s):  
Godwin O. Akaba ◽  
Habiba I. Abdullahi

Background: Intimate partner violence is an important public health and human rights issue. Previous studies have considered intimate partner violence in pregnancy mainly among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics thereby missing out a few who may encounter this problem in late pregnancy or just before delivery. This study had the objective of ascertaining the prevalence, pattern of intimate partner violence, and associated materno-fetal outcomes. Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January 2017 and June 2017 among postpartum mothers at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital just before being discharged home. The abuse assessment score was adapted and used to interview women regarding possible intimate partner violence experiences within the past 1 year and during the pregnancy after obtaining written consent. Results: Out of 349 postpartum women interviewed, 102/349 (29.2%) experienced intimate partner violence in the past 1 year, while 18/349 (5.2%) of intimate partner violence occurred in the index pregnancy. Sexual partners were the main perpetuators of intimate partner violence, 67/102 (65.7%), while 35/102 (34.3%) were by someone else other than their sexual partners. Among those abused in the current pregnancy, 10/18 (55.6%) were abused once and the remaining 8/18 (44.4%) were abused more than once. Intimate partner violence was associated with higher chances of cesarean section ( p = 0.001), increased risk of lesser birth weight babies ( p = 0.014), and maternal complications in pregnancy ( p = 0.030). Conclusion: The prevalence of intimate partner violence in pregnancy in Abuja is high with associated poor materno-fetal outcomes. Enforcing existing legislations and screening for intimate partner violence during routine antenatal care may help reduce its prevalence and ensure a positive pregnancy experience for Nigerian women.


2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (4) ◽  
pp. 904-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander M. McKinney ◽  
James Short ◽  
Charles L. Truwit ◽  
Zeke J. McKinney ◽  
Osman S. Kozak ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-206
Author(s):  
N Sundari ◽  
Asha Swaroop ◽  
BM Krupa ◽  
BK Madhusudhan ◽  
S Chaitra

ABSTRACT Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a cliniconeuroradiological entity characterized by several symptoms of varied etiologies. The common symptoms are headache, confusion, seizures, cortical visual disturbances or blindness. Here, we report a 22 years old lady with 32 weeks of gestation who presented with complaints of acute onset of headache, sudden loss of vision with elevated blood pressure (BP), whose magnetic resonance venogram (MR venogram) revealed bilateral occipital T2 hyperintensity with restriction of diffusion suggestive of PRES. Early identification and treatment usually results in complete reversal of the deficits and delayed diagnosis and improper management can lead to irreversible sequelae. How to cite this article Krupa BM, Sundari N, Madhusudhan BK, Swaroop A, Chaitra S. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Pregnancy. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2015;7(3):205-206.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 164-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Roth ◽  
Gina Deck

While rare, neurovascular disorders that occur in pregnant or postpartum women are associated with high morbidity and mortality, thus necessitating prompt identification and treatment. The most common symptoms include headache, focal neurological features, and seizures. Factors such as pregnancy-related hypercoagulability and hemodynamic changes put women at risk for neurovascular disorders in the third trimester and early postpartum period. The biggest risk factors for stroke in pregnancy are hypertension and the preeclampsia/eclampsia spectrum. This review outlines the diagnosis and treatment of pregnant and postpartum women with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. Trial registration: Not applicable.


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