Devic Syndrome and Pregnancy: A Case Series

Overview

Journal Obstet Med

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2018 Dec 22

PMID 30574178

Citations 4

Authors

Danielle Wuebbolt

Vanessa Nguyen

Rohan DSouza

Ahraaz Wyne

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Devic syndrome or neuromyelitis optica is an autoimmune neurological condition characterized by relapsing symptoms of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. Women with neuromyelitis optica suffer from adverse pregnancy outcomes and high relapse rates during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Methods: This case series describes 13 pregnancies in four women with neuromyelitis optica managed at a tertiary hospital in Toronto, Canada.

Results: In most cases, neurologic symptoms either worsened or developed for the first time during pregnancy or the postpartum period, and often responded to a combination of steroids, immunosuppressant medications, plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin. The 13 pregnancies resulted in two miscarriages, three preterm and eight term births. One fetus whose mother was on gabapentin, prednisone and spironolactone, had congenital malformations (aplastic lung and fused fingers).

Conclusions: Despite high frequency of relapses in pregnancy and the postpartum period, with multidisciplinary team management, outcomes for women with neuromyelitis optica are encouraging.

Citing Articles

Deng S, Lei Q, Lu W Front Immunol. 2022; 12:800666.

PMID: 35069584 PMC: 8767555. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.800666.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: pregnancy-related attack and predictive risk factors.

Wang L, Zhou L, ZhangBao J, Huang W, Chang X, Lu C J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2020; .

PMID: 33219038 PMC: 7803904. DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323982.

Pregnancy and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder - Reciprocal Effects and Practical Recommendations: A Systematic Review.

DSouza R, Wuebbolt D, Andrejevic K, Ashraf R, Nguyen V, Zaffar N Front Neurol. 2020; 11:544434.

PMID: 33178102 PMC: 7596379. DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.544434.

Editorial.

Lapinsky S, Frise C Obstet Med. 2018; 11(4):153.

PMID: 30574175 PMC: 6295765. DOI: 10.1177/1753495X18811241.

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