Transient blindness associated with pregnancy induced hypertension without neurological symptoms is a rare phenomenon. The blindness in these cases is postulated to be of "cortical blindness". Two such cases occurring immediately after childbirth are presented. The ophthalmic manifestations of this complication of pregnancy induced hypertension and the importance of an urgent evaluation are discussed.
A case-control study was carried out in Alor Gajah to determine the socio-economic, dietary and lifestyle factors and the occurrence of pregnancy-induced hypertension. There were a total of 30 cases who were selected from antenatal mothers attending 3 selected health centers in 1998. The control group consisted of 30 antenatal mothers who were matched according to health centre, race and age. The results showed that pregnancy-induced hypertension was significantly associated with obesity (P < 0.05) and being a housewife (P < 0.05).
Pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy is a rare condition but is associated with a high mortality. We report the case of a 29 year old female in early pregnancy with Protein C and S deficiency with recurrent deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and subsequent secondary pulmonary hypertension. The patient was counselled and consented for termination of pregnancy with tubal sterilization. She was administered continuous spinal anaesthesia with invasive monitoring. The successful anaesthetic management of this condition is described.