title: Primary microcephaly in two children born to mothers with complicated appendicitis or late appendectomy during pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The possible association between maternal appendicitis/appendectomy during pregnancy and congenital abnormalities in the offspring was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cases with primary microcephaly were born to mothers who had complicated appendicitis owing to the delay of appendectomy resulting in abscess/peritonitis associated with septicemia and fever in the second trimester of pregnancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Delay in surgical intervention of appendicitis in pregnancy can result in maternal morbidity that may be associated with primary microcephaly in the offspring.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, School of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Nándor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Acs
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bánhidy
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Czeizel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008831:Microcephaly / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*