title: Fatal splenic rupture in a pregnant woman with hemoglobin C/beta-thalassemia and myeloid metaplasia.
abstract: Splenic rupture with intraperitoneal hemorrhage is a fatal condition that is rarely encountered during the third trimester of pregnancy; its pathogenetic mechanisms and causes are largely unknown. We report a case of splenic rupture in a pregnant woman that caused the death of the mother and child. The patient was a carrier of double heterozygosis for hemoglobin C/beta-thalassemia. Spleen and liver enlargement due to extramedullary hematopoiesis was found at autopsy. Our data suggest that rare and hidden hematologic disorders should be considered as possible causes of splenic enlargement and rupture during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Science, University School of Medicine Amedeo Avogadro of Eastern Piedmon, Novara, Italy. renzo.boldorini@med.unipmn.it
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boldorini
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bozzola
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gallarotti
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ribaldone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006444:Hemoglobin C / Q000032:analysis*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D006444:Hemoglobin C