Case report: a most peculiar family with spontaneous, recurrent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) mostly occurs as a complication of induction of ovulation. However, rarely, it may occur spontaneously at the beginning of a natural pregnancy and in the absence of any assisted reproductive treatment. Spontaneous OHSS has been reported in pregnant women affected by hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, gonadotropin-producing pituitary adenoma, but also in normal pregnancies. The aetiology of this condition is still unclear. We hereby report on a case of spontaneous, familial, recurrent OHSS in a 26-year-old primipara whose first-degree cousin, paternal grandmother and a number of other members of her father's family had suffered from a similar condition. This case seems to support the concept of a genetic predisposition for spontaneous OHSS thereby suggesting the need for preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. costantino.dicarlo@unina.it
Costantino
C
Di Carlo
Fabiana
F
Savoia
Cinzia
C
Ferrara
Giovanni A
GA
Tommaselli
Giuseppe
G
Bifulco
Carmine
C
Nappi
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D001201:Ascites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D010375:Pedigree; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal