Acute Onset Neurological Disorders during Pregnancy: A Literature Review

Abstract

To characterize the most common peripheral and central neurological disorders during pregnancy. Original research and review of the literature on neurological complications during pregnancy. We searched for keywords related to the topic on different databases. Pregnancy involves physiological changes that can trigger peripheral neurological and/or central nervous system pathologies, which can sometimes be associated with hypertensive disorders. A definitive diagnosis of neurological disorders can be made according to the trimester of pregnancy and the clinical findings. Carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral facial palsy are common peripheral neurological disorders, more frequent in the second half of pregnancy. Central nervous disorders are more complex and a precise diagnosis must be made in order to improve perinatal outcomes, provide correct management and treatment and to prevent acute and long-term complications. It is possible to achieve a precise diagnosis, management and treatment of neurological disorders during pregnancy, but these require a multidisciplinary approach, crucial to improve perinatal outcomes.

Maternal and foetal outcome in women with neurological disorders

“…Red flags to secondary head ache are worst head ache experienced, acute onset or thunderclap head ache, hemicranial, worsens with decubitus or valsalva maneuver, associated with fever or focal neurological deficits and not relieved with symptomatic therapy. 12 Eclampsia is new onset seizures in the setting of preeclampsia. Incidence of eclampsia was 7.8% which was much lower than the study by Shubha et al 3 This is due to the fact that majority of patients had adequate control of blood pressure.…”

“…Bells palsy is a lower motor neuron disease with unilateral weakness of fascial muscles, dry eyes, hyperacusis to acute sounds and loss of taste over the ipsilateral anterior two third of tongue. 12 Prednisolone can be given to speed up recovery and 90% of cases resolve spontaneously. One case of Gullaine Barre syndrome presented at 31 weeks with bulbar paralysis.…”

Carpal tunnel syndrome and pregnancy

“…Независимо от ограниченията, пред които са изправени специалистите, диагностицирането и лечението на синдрома на карпалния канал по време на бременността е възможно, като изисква мултидисциплинарен подход, което е от решаващо значение за крайния резултат в перинаталния период (Ferraz Z, 2017). В повечето случаи една част от средствата на физикалната терапия са най-уместният терапевтичен избор.…”

Complete and Fast Recovery from Idiopathic Facial Paralysis Using Laser-Photobiomodulation

“…The occurrence of Bell's palsy during pregnancy [17] requires integrated follow-up with the prenatal medical team. Individuals with diabetes can suffer unusual consequences, such as hearing loss [6,18].…”