Pregnancy complicated by autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II: A case report

✍ Scribed by Kecia Gaither; Ray Wright; Joseph J. Apuzzio; Lisa Gittens; Vijaya Ganesh

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1998
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 39 KB
• Volume: 7
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1057-0802
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6661(199805/06)7:3<154::aid-mfm10>3.0.co;2-h

✦ Synopsis

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome may complicate pregnancy and be confused with hyperemesis gravidarum as a cause of hypoglycemia and electrolyte imbalance in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes are uncommon disorders characterized by the development and presentation of multiple endocrine end organ dysfunction. To our knowledge, we present the first case of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome complicating pregnancy. A 26-year-old woman, gravida 5 para 3 at 12 weeks gestation, presented with hyperemesis and signs and symptoms consistent with adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism. Evaluation revealed autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type II. Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes are a myriad group of diseases characterized by polyglandular dysfunction. These syndromes should be kept in mind when dealing with pregnant patients presenting with hyperemesis and an electrolyte imbalance who do not improve with the usual treatment for hyperemesis. An endocrine dysfunction such as polyglandular syndrome may exist.