Neurological disorders during pregnancy and post-partum period of mothers admitted to De Soyza Hospital for Women, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Introduction: Identification of a neurological disorder during pregnancy is often a challenge in the context of sharing similar physiological and pathological symptomatology. Neurological disorders during pregnancy are not a common occurrence either. Studies were not previously carried out on prevalence, disease pattern or outcome of neurological disorders among pregnant women in Sri Lanka which would help to reduce the gap of missing a rare but fatal disease.

Objectives: Identify and describe neurological problems, patterns and effect on outcome during pregnancy and post-partum.

Method: A descriptive cross sectional study of term pregnant women admitted to De Soysa Hospital for delivery during the period of June to September 2013. Data gathered by interviewer administered questionnaire. Participants were followed up till end of post-partum. Clinical end points were defined by physician diagnosed cases.

Results: Out of 334 participants, 40 (12%) were identified with various neurological diagnosis irrespective of disease onset. Fourteen (4.19%) were new onset neurological problems during pregnancy or postpartum. New onset Carpal tunnel syndrome represented 1.5% which was the commonest among new onset. New onset migraine represented 0.6%. 2.4% of the participants were pre-diagnosed epileptic patients. Seizures remained unchanged among 62.5% of epileptic participants.

Conclusions: New onset neurological disorders were reported during pregnant and post- partum period by 14.9%. Primary headache accounted for the most prevailing neurological diagnosis. Migraine was the commonest cause. Carpel tunnel syndrome was the commonest new onset neurological diagnosis.