16 – Dyspnoea of Pregnancy
Abstract Dyspnoea is a common complaint in pregnant women, and may occur as a result of the physiological changes in pregnancy or due to cardio-respiratory disease. A prospective observational study…
14 – Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Pregnancy
Abstract Acute respiratory failure is a rare occurrence during pregnancy, estimated to occur in 0.2–0.3% of pregnancies, but when this occurs it can have significant consequences for mother and child….
15 – Other Pulmonary Conditions in Pregnancy: Pleural Disease, Haemoptysis and Air Embolism
Abstract Pleural disease in pregnancy most often results in pleural effusions or pneumothorax. Pregnancy-related medical conditions or disease exacerbated by pregnancy will be discussed in this chapter. Pleural effusions are…
13 – Sleep-disordered Breathing in Pregnancy
Abstract The proportion of the world’s population that is obese has tripled over the last 40 years, according to data from the World Health Organization. Women are more likely to…
12 – Sickle Chest Syndromes in Pregnancy
Abstract common haemoglobinopathy, affecting 283 000 infants born annually. Sickle cell carriers are found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Estimated frequency for sickle cell…
11 – Pulmonary Hypertension and Pregnancy
Abstract Despite advances in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and improvements in obstetric care, pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains a leading cause of cardiac maternal death in the developed world. The…
9 – Restrictive Lung Disease in Pregnancy
Abstract Restrictive lung diseases are conditions characterized by a reduction in lung volume, and may be subdivided according to the anatomic location of the pathology. Diseases of the lung parenchyma…
10 – Thromboembolic Disease in Pregnancy
Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which manifests as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a major cause of maternal morbidity in developed countries, with an estimated overall incidence…
5 – Gas Exchange across the Placenta
Abstract The placenta develops alongside the embryo and fetus and is responsible for fetal gas exchange and nutrition. The placenta also has important immune and endocrine functions and thus undertakes…
8 – Cystic Fibrosis in Pregnancy
Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that results in a multisystem disease. CF most…
