Severe maternal and fetal electrolyte imbalance in pregnancy after gastric surgery for morbid obesity. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Gastric surgery for morbid obesity is considered a safe procedure with favorable effects on reproductive performance. Pregnancies after gastric restrictive operations are usually well tolerated by both mother and fetus. Some postoperative complications, however, do occur, although an association between such complications and adverse pregnancy outcomes has not been reported.


METHODS
A 40-year-old woman had a successful gastric operation for weight reduction but developed chronic, low grade gastro-intestinal obstruction as a late complication of surgery. Subsequent pregnancies ended in late abortion or premature delivery. During her last pregnancy, reported here in detail, severe and life-threatening fetomaternal electrolyte imbalances developed.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy following a gastric operation for morbid obesity may be complicated by severe metabolic disturbances that can jeopardize both the pregnant woman and her fetus. These pregnancy complications, which are related to the primary gastric surgery, are reported here for the first time.
Weissman
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel.
Hagay
Z
Z
Schachter
M
M
Dreazen
E
E
D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery*; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000209:etiology*