Gross vulva odema complicating severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia: a case series.

BACKGROUND

Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria. Pre-eclampsia presenting with gross vulva edema is not commonly encountered and its significance is yet to be established.

METHODOLOGY: A clinical case series of four patients with Pre-eclampsia that presented with gross vulva edema.

RESULT: Three patients had evidence of worsening severity of disease characterized by acute renal failure with oliguria, HELLP Syndrome, Intrauterine Growth Restriction and adverse perinatal outcome. The fourth was complicated with eclampsia, adult respiratory distress and maternal death.

CONCLUSION

The presence of gross vulva oedema in pre-eclampsia may be an indicator of severity of disease and or deteriorating fetomaternal condition. Further studies are required to demonstrate the significance of gross vulva edema in pre-eclampsia.