Pregnancy and delivery in women with a traumatic spinal cord injury in Sweden, 1980-1991
Westgren, N.; Hultling, C.; Levi, R.; Westgren, M.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 81(6): 926-930
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 8497358 Document Number: 406364
Objective: To evaluate the incidence of delivery in women after a traumatic spinal cord injury and to describe pregnancy outcome in this group of patients. Methods: Between 1980-1991, 29 women with a traumatic spinal cord injury experienced 49 pregnancies and gave birth to 52 children in Sweden. A retrospective chart review of the antepartum, intrapartum, and perinatal records of these patients was performed. In addition, all patients participated in a telephone interview held by one of the authors. Of the 29 women, 12 had lesions above T5 and 17 had lesions at T5 or below. Results: Antenatal complications occurred frequently in this group. Nine of 12 patients with lesions above T5 had symptoms of autonomic hyperreflexia during pregnancy and/or delivery. Only in a minority of the women was the problem recognized by the medical professionals. Nine of the infants (19%) were born preterm and two were small for gestational age. The perinatal mortality rate was two of 52 (3.8%) and occurred in two cases of abruptio placentae. Few of the patients were allowed to deliver vaginally. The cesarean delivery rate for women with lesions above T5 was 47% and for women with lesions below that level, 26%. Conclusion: The overall prognosis for these women was favorable. However, women with higher spinal cord lesions would probably benefit from referral to centers with a particular interest and expertise in the management of their problems.