Abstract

HIDALGO M, Juan José et al. PARTO PRETÉRMINO Y SUFRIMIENTO FETAL SECUNDARIOS A PERITONITIS POR APENDICITIS AGUDA PERFORADA. Rev. chil. obstet. ginecol. [online]. 2009, vol.74, n.3, pp.185-188. ISSN 0048-766X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-75262009000300008.

Acute appendicitis is the most common non-obstetric surgical emergency in pregnancy. It has been associated with premature labour and fetal and maternal morbidity and mortality, especially when complicated with peritonitis. Anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes during pregnancy may altertypical symptoms and signs associated with appendicitis. This can result in delayed diagnosis and lead to an increase in mother's and fetus morbimortality. We present a case of a pregnant woman at 35 weeks of gestation in whom the difficulty in diagnosis of acute appendicitis resulted in the appearance of peritonitis because of appendix perforation, which was the cause of preterm labour and fetal distress.

Keywords : Appendicitis; pregnancy; premature labor; fetal distress.

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