Edema angioneurotico en el embarazo

Abstract

In this titling work, the study of angioneurotic edema in pregnancy is presented, with the presentation of a Riobamba Provincial General Teaching Hospital’s clinical case, in a 22-year-old primiparous patient, which has a recurrent tumefaction at face level, head and neck, without pruritus and that yield spontaneously. Angioneurotic edema in pregnancy is an infrequent entity, with reports of 1 per 50,000 inhabitants, this can be divided into histaminergic- being the most common-, and non-histaminergic, which is mediated by the effects of bradykinin. The case presented is a non-histaminergic (hereditary) angioneurotic edema, which is a genetic disorder at the level of the C1 inhibitor protein with the consequent involvement in the complement system and the release of bradykinin. It is an infrequent affection defined as edema of the skin and mucous membranes, including those of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract. It has a self-limiting character that in the majority of the vexes is entirely resolved within 72 hours of its appearance. It is produced by the increase in permeability at the level of mucosal, submucosal capillaries and postcapillary venules, with the consequent extravasation of plasma. Hereditary angioneurotic edema is characterized by recurrent episodes of non-pruriginous edema, which, when affecting the respiratory system, has as its main complication the appearance of laryngeal edema that compromises the patient’s life. Launching factors of the pathology have been proposed, such as stress, pain, hormonal changes, and pregnancy. Since it is a genetic disorder, it does not respond to conventional treatments, which is why early identification is fundamental for the establishment of adequate treatment.