Impact of pregnancy on respiratory capacity in women with muscular dystrophy and kyphoscoliosis. A case report

Abstract

Background: Restriction of the chest wall in pregnancy prevents adaptive physiologic hyperventilation. This in turn might gradually promote respiratory insufficiency.

Case: Two consecutive pregnancies occurred in a woman with severe kyphoscoliosis due to juvenile muscular dystrophy. The patient died postpartum.

Conclusion: Pregnancies with restrictive lung diseases, including severe scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis, should be considered high risk and thus should be monitored and managed carefully.