Severe Maternal Morbidity and Near Miss Mortality - A Case Report of an Adolescent with a Thyroid Storm

Abstract

A thyroid storm is a major life threatening disorder and is more complicated when it happens in an unsupported pregnant teenager where possible maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality are additional concerns on account of medical and social issues. This patient who defaulted treatment for Graves ’ disease for 18 months presented with cardiovascular, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, renal and obstetric complications as a medical emergency to the Labour Ward of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). She was in cardiac failure, had anaemia and assessed to have a thyroid storm with intrauterine foetal death. She received intensive care from a multidisciplinary team with anti-thyroid and anti-heart failure drugs, oxygen, blood transfusion, antibiotics, supportive therapy, and subsequently went into labour and had forceps delivery of a macerated foetus and very proactive management that led to the aversion of a potential maternal mortality.