Successful obstetric and anaesthetic management of a pregnant woman with achondroplasia

Abstract

Achondroplasia is the most prevalent form of dwarfism, and there is little evidence about the optimal management of pregnant women with achondroplasia. We presented a 25-year-old primigravid woman with achondroplasia who was followed up during the pregnancy period and performed elective caesarean section with combined spinal-epidural anaesthesia at the 38th week of gestation. Frequent obstetric follow-up visits and invasive prenatal diagnostic tests should be offered during the antenatal period due to the increased risk for obstetric complications, such as premature delivery and fetal anomalies. Prenatal detailed counselling, comprehensive evaluation of the potential risks, obstetric and perioperative management should be performed by a multidisciplinary care team, including an obstetrician, anaesthesiologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist and neonatologist.