Anaphylactoid Syndrome After Intrauterine Pressure Catheter Placement

BACKGROUND: Anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy is a rare and poorly understood complication of pregnancy. Intrauterine pressure catheter placement is a procedure routinely performed in labor and delivery that is traditionally associated with few complications. CASE: A pregnant woman at term experienced anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy associated with cardiopulmonary failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and neurologic sequelae immediately after the placement of an intrauterine pressure catheter. Ultimately, the patient returned to a near-normal level of function, whereas the infant died of pneumonia at 10 months of age. CONCLUSION: Anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy is a rare complication of intrauterine pressure catheter placement. It is important to be prepared for unexpected emergencies, even with such a routine procedure. (Obstet Gynecol 2010,115:407-8)