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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Abstract Asthma is a heterogeneous disease defined by various respiratory complaints and can present in all age groups. Its hallmarks are variable airflow limitation and chronic airway inflammation. With disease…
Abstract Infections of the respiratory tract are a common cause of maternal morbidity. Physiological and immunological changes that occur in pregnancy may contribute to a higher incidence, morbidity and mortality…
