A 31-year-old pregnant woman with angioedema

Angioedema is swelling of the deep layers of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue due to an increase in vascular permeability. Angioedema sometimes occurs concomitantly with urticaria and represents an allergic disease. In other cases, angioedema is not associated with an allergic condition. We present the case of a 31-year-old woman with new-onset angioedema in the setting of her first pregnancy. After detailed history, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation, a cause for her angioedema was found that had not been considered previously and had significant implications for future management, particularly in light of her current pregnancy. Because allergists are commonly called on to evaluate and treat angioedema, we should be aware of the many disease processes that can present with this symptom and be well-versed in the workup of new-onset angioedema.