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Case Reports
. 2019 Jul 16;12(7):e228954.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228954.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome as a complication of pre-eclampsia in the early postpartum period

Julie Verhaegen  1   2 , Frederik Peeters  2 , Patrick Debois  2 , Yves Jacquemyn  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome as a complication of pre-eclampsia in the early postpartum period

Julie Verhaegen et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

We present the case of a 30-year-old woman with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) as a complication of pre-eclampsia in the early postpartum period. PRES is a rare neurological disorder which causes non-specific neurological symptoms such as headache, seizures and visual disturbances. It generally has a good prognosis, but severe complications can arise. Therefore, early recognition and treatment are paramount. Pre-eclampsia is a multiorgan disease and is associated with both maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Neurological symptoms occurring in the postpartum period indicate pre-eclampsia until proven otherwise. This case report was written to stress the attention on this rare complication of pre-eclampsia. When a patient in the postpartum period presents with a combination of seizures, disturbed vision and headache, PRES should always be kept in mind.

Keywords: obstetrics and gynaecology; pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Brain MRI showing hyperintensities on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images in the occipital cortex (A) and in the cerebellum (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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