Neurological complication of pregnancy: An experience from north east India

Abstract

: The neurology of pregnancy is usually of two types, those that are pregnancy-specific and those that worsen during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Almost 20% of maternal mortality can be attributed to neurological causes which warrants us to identify the red flag sign for early and proper intervention. : A retrospective study of three years duration in North East India. All demographic, clinical, and neurological findings, routine investigation, and neurological investigation were recorded. Further analysis was done to find out the most common neurological pathology in pregnancy and classify them into pregnancy-specific, incidental, and preexisting neurological conditions. : A total number of 80 patients were included. The age ranged from 18 to 49 years with the maximum number of patients (forty-four) in the 20-30 age group. Guillain barre syndrome (GBS) seen in 21 patients (26%) which was the most common with maternal mortality and stillbirth. Eclampsia was seen in seventeen patients (21%) with three intra-uterine death and one maternal death noted. The other neurological disease was cerebral venous thrombosis (11%), seizure in isolation (six patients), and seizure with post-partum sepsis (five patients). Myelopathy was seen in four patients, carpal tunnel syndrome and cramps in six patients each, multiple sclerosis, tubercular meningitis (proven), thymoma-negative generalized myasthenia gravis, and arteriovenous malformation in one patient each. An in-depth knowledge of the various neurological diseases during pregnancy helps us to recognize them early and provide proper approaches and management to reduce harm to maternal and child health.