Neuromuscular diseases in pregnancy

Neuromuscular disease in pregnancy is a broad topic and includes focal neuropathies that occur with increased incidence during pregnancy and the puerperium, as well as preexisting inherited neuropathies or myopathies and chronic autoimmune diseases such as myasthenia gravis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Although the precise etiology of the focal neuropathies is not completely understood, they do seem to be a direct effect of pregnancy or delivery. In most cases, prognosis for complete recovery is good. The incidence of inherited and autoimmune neuromuscular diseases in women of childbearing age is relatively rare, and our knowledge of their impact in pregnancy is limited. Most are able to deliver healthy infants; however, these patients present specific challenges to the neurologist and obstetrician. The most recent literature on this topic is reviewed.