Antepartum Eclampsia and Partial HELLP Syndrome in a Patient with Bell\'s Palsy

Abstract

Bell's palsy affects pregnant women three times more often than nonpregnant women, with majority of cases occurring in the third trimester (71%) and early postpartum period (21%). Bell's palsy during pregnancy has been associated with preeclampsia, with 22% of these women developing preeclampsia. A 26-year-old G3P1 L1A1 diagnosed with Bell's palsy 2 weeks earlier, presented at 33-week period of gestation with a chief complaint of progressive bilateral pedal edema for 1 week, blood pressure (BP) - 150/100 mmHg and dipstick urine - 3+. Laboratory screening of HELLP syndrome was normal. Six days later, she had an episode of generalized tonic–clonic convulsion, magnesium sulfate was given, and emergency laboratory investigations revealed partial HELLP syndrome (platelet - 80,000, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase - 281/222 U/L) with normal coagulation profile. Lower segment caesarean section was performed with delivery of a 2ks neonate with APGAR of 7/10 and 9/10 at 1 and 5 minute respectively. Postoperative day 3, all laboratory reports including magnetic resonance imaging brain were normal. BP was stabilized and she was discharged on the third postnatal day, with some right-sided residual facial weakness. All obstetricians must be aware of association of Bell's palsy with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and aggressively screen for the same as soon as diagnosed, to prevent complications such as eclampsia and HELLP. Since Bell's palsy is not associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, it should not prompt obstetricians for hastening deliveries prematurely.