title: Mallory-Weiss tear diagnosed in the immediate postpartum period: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mallory-Weiss tears occur rarely during pregnancy, labour and delivery, and the puerperium, despite the increased frequency of retching and vomiting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe a Mallory-Weiss syndrome diagnosed during the immediate postpartum period in a 34-year-old primigravida. The syndrome initially manifested as lower gastrointestinal bleeding and melena.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If unrecognized, this complication may lead to life-threatening internal bleeding. It is important to look for an occult bleeding source with such a presentation, and prompt intervention is essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood PA.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parva
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood PA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Finnegan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood PA.
authors.forename: Cary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Keiter
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood PA.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mercogliano
authors.affiliation: The New Hope Center for Reproductive Medicine, Virginia Beach VA.
authors.forename: Christian M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Perez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008309:Mallory-Weiss Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008551:Melena / Q000209:etiology; D049590:Postpartum Period