- Cushing's syndrome does not commonly occur in pregnancy, however, there are cases in which this pathology has occurred and the consequences are risky for the baby. Its symptoms usually go unnoticed, therefore, we will point you to the warning signs and more facts on the subject.
Presence of Cushing's in Pregnancy
It is rare for Cushing's syndrome to occur during pregnancy because women with this condition suffer from infertility. After all, it interferes with the function of the ovaries, as well as interrupting or making menstrual periods irregular. However, it can occur and unfortunately increases maternal and fetal morbidity. It should be noted that the diagnosis of this pathology is complex since the symptoms are often confused with complications of pregnancy such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, and abdominal stretch marks.
One of the consequences of suffering from this condition in pregnancy is increased heart rate, risk of preeclampsia, and miscarriage. In addition, there is a greater chance that the baby will be born prematurely.
What causes Cushing's Syndrome?
It is a condition that occurs when the body has too much of the hormone cortisol, either because the body produces too much of it or by taking corticosteroids in high doses for a long time. This hormone fulfills various functions in the body, for example: regulates blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and helps the proper function of the heart and blood vessels.
It is common for specialists to prescribe corticosteroids to treat asthma, arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel diseases, or even when an organ transplant has been performed. For this reason, it is important to be vigilant during the consumption of these medications.
Symptoms
The symptoms of this condition vary depending on the level of cortisol in the body. The most common are:
- Gain weight.
- Deposits of adipose tissue in the midsection of the body.
- Pink or purple stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, breasts, and arms.
- Arterial hypertension
- Loss of bone mass
- Type 2 diabetes
- Bruising prone skin
- Acne
- Slow cicatrization
If you suspect you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a specialist, otherwise, complications such as osteoporosis, hypertension, frequent infections, and loss of muscle mass may occur. Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment are essential to reduce maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality.
For us it is very important to take care of you and your baby, so we will do everything necessary for you to have a healthy pregnancy. Come to us and schedule your appointment! us and schedule your appointment!
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