Severe preeclampsia presenting as third nerve palsy.

Preeclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy and often manifests in severe cases with neurological symptoms. We present the first documented case of preeclampsia associated with third nerve palsy. A 19-year-old primigravida presented at 31 2/7 weeks' gestation with preeclampsia. In addition to classic preeclampsia symptoms, the patient had atypical visual disturbances. Exhaustive neurological and ophthalmological examinations revealed a third nerve palsy with no etiology other than preeclampsia. Deteriorating renal function necessitated preterm delivery. She ultimately underwent a cesarean section. Two months postpartum, the patient has shown complete spontaneous resolution of third nerve palsy. In this case of severe preeclampsia manifested by third nerve palsy, we hypothesize that the mechanism is attributed to vasospasm of the vessels supplying the oculomotor nerve.

Contribution of elective delivery to severe respiratory distress at term.

We sought to determine the contribution of elective delivery to severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) on a weekly basis from 37-40 weeks' gestation. Chart reviews confirmed gestational age, delivery reason, and primary diagnosis of all inborn neonates with RDS requiring mechanical ventilation delivered at 37 0/7-40 6/7 weeks' gestation from 1/1/90-12/31/99. Exclusion criteria were sepsis, pneumonia, meconium aspiration, asphyxia, pulmonary hemorrhage, hydrops, chromosomal abnormality, or congenital malformations affecting respiration. Thirty-five thousand and thirty-one deliveries occurred from 37 0/7-40 6/7 weeks; 18 (0.05%) had RDS requiring mechanical ventilation. Nine infants delivered at 37 0/7-37 6/7 weeks, (OR for RDS = 38.5; 95% CI = 8.3, 178.3), seven delivered at 38 0/7-38 6/7 weeks, (OR for RDS = 13.3; 95% CI = 2.8, 64.0), and two delivered at 39 0/7-40 6/7 weeks. Six of 18 infants were electively delivered without documented lung maturity. Infants born at 37 0/7-38 6/7 weeks are at significantly increased risk for severe RDS. One third of RDS cases were potentially avoidable.