Open AccessA Rare Cause of Hemoperitoneum in Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Ana Edral,
Carolina C. Gomes,
Renato Martins,
Aparecido Alves Serafim Ferreira
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
acta médica portuguesa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1646-0758
pISSN - 0870-399X
DOI - 10.20344/amp.12835
Subject(s) - hemoperitoneum , medicine , laparotomy , abdominal pain , gynecology , gestation , anemia , obstetrics , pregnancy , surgery , genetics , biology
Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy is a rare complication resulting in high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The authors describe the case of a pregnant woman presenting at 32 weeks of gestation with abdominal pain and free abdominal fluid on ultrasound. Laparotomy revealed a hemoperitoneum resulting from a suspected ruptured varices on the uterine posterior surface. A live newborn was delivered by cesarean-section, and hemorrhage was controlled with sutures and compression. Clinicians should be aware of this diagnosis when a pregnant woman presents with abdominal pain, anemia or hypovolemic shock. Early intervention will avoid poor outcomes for both the mother and the fetus.