Cerebrovascular complications in pregnancy and puerperium

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, possible etiological factors, pathology, clinical manifestations, brain CT scan features, treatment, and prognosis of cerebrovascular complications occurring in pregnancy and puerperium.

This is a prospective analytical study conducted at the Govt. Hospital for women and children, Chennai, from January 2006 to February 2008. During the above period, 26 women were diagnosed with various cerebrovascular complications. In these patients, the clinical data, risk factors, neurological features, investigations, results, and neuroimaging reports were analyzed.

The incidence of cerebrovascular complications in this study was 66 per 100,000 deliveries. None had prior history of diabetes, hypertension, renal disease, or seizure disorder. Two women were suffering from cardiac disease. PET and eclampsia were seen in 19/26 (73 %) cases. Seven women were suffering from anemia and one with severe sepsis. The neurological complications manifested predominantly in the postpartum period. Cases presented with hemiplegia/facial palsy and aphasia. CT scan imaging showed intracerebral hemorrhage in four cases, cerebral infarcts in five cases, and cortical vein thrombosis in 16 cases. There were five maternal deaths in this study.

Stroke occurring in pregnancy, though rare, is a serious complication which can lead to maternal death. In this study, hypertension has emerged as an important risk factor; therefore, attention should be focussed on maintaining normotension in the peripartum period.