Acute appendicitis in a woman with eclampsia complicated by a stroke at 28 weeks gestation: a case report

ABSTRACT

Eclampsia is defined as the occurrence of one or more convulsions superimposed on pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia is pregnancy-induced hypertension in association with proteinuria >0.3g in 24 hours and virtually any organ system may be affected. In eclampsia, the case fatality rate has been reported as 1.8% and a further 35% of women experience a major complication. Acute appendicitis in pregnancy is not frequently encountered [0.05-0.13% pregnancies]. This condition is associated with delayed diagnosis and management. We report a 20-year-old Afghani primigravida, who presented at 28 weeks with multiple eclamptic fits at home and fever. Caesarean section was performed. The baby was stillborn with features of intra-uterine growth restriction. Her appendix was acutely inflamed and appendectomy was done. She sustained a minor stroke but recovered completely.