[Myasthenia and pregnancy. Two case reports].

OBJECTIVE

Assess obstetrical care in rare cases of pregnant women with myasthenia.

METHOD: Two personal cases led to a brief recall of the disease process and the literature and an assessment of proposed optimal care.

RESULTS

Both pregnancies were carried to term without aggravation of the myasthenia. According to the data in the literature, pregnancy has a variable effect on myasthenia (1/3 stability, 1/3 improvement, 1/3 aggravation). The risk of decompensation during expulsion is great and the patient's efforts should be limited, although cesarian section is not required (excepting classical surgical indications). Peridural anaesthesia is not required (excepting classical surgical indications). Peridural anaesthesia is recommended because it reduces patient fatigue and facilitates instrumental extraction. Nursing is authorized except in case of severe episodes with a major rise in antibody levels. Pre-eclampsia was reported in only 5 cases: both maternal and fetal risk is high in such cases requiring intensive care. Fetal risks include rare neuro-muscular disease in which prognosis is poor and in 15 to 20% of the cases, neonatal myasthenia.

CONCLUSION

Myasthenia is an autoimmune disease rarely occurring in young women of childbearing age. Care for pregnant women with myasthenia requires close collaboration between the different specialists.