Clinical and Imaging Resolution of Neonatal Hemochromatosis following Treatment

Severe metabolic ketoacidosis as a primary manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection in non-diabetic pregnancy

We present a case of a metabolic acidosis in a term-pregnant woman with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Our patient presented with dyspnoea, tachypnoea, thoracic pain and a 2-day history of vomiting, initially attributed to COVID-19 pneumonia. Differential diagnosis was expanded when arterial blood gas showed a high anion gap metabolic non-lactate acidosis without hypoxaemia. Most likely, the hypermetabolic state of pregnancy, in combination with maternal starvation and increased metabolic demand due to infection, had resulted in metabolic ketoacidosis. Despite supportive treatment and rapid induction of labour, maternal deterioration and fetal distress during labour necessitated an emergency caesarean section. The patient delivered a healthy neonate. Postpartum, after initial improvement in metabolic acidosis, viral and bacterial pneumonia with subsequent significant respiratory compromise were successfully managed with oxygen supplementation and corticosteroids. This case illustrates how the metabolic demands of pregnancy can result in an uncommon presentation of COVID-19.

Gestational Alloimmune Liver Disease: A Case Study

Gestational alloimmune liver disease (GALD) is initiated by maternal antibodies that attack fetal hepatocytes. The fetal immune response to the antibodies causes liver damage. The incidence of GALD is four per 100,000 live births in the United States. Frequently, liver injury leads to fetal loss or neonatal demise; nonetheless, the presentation of GALD has a wide range of severity. Survival rates have increased from 20 to 80 percent changes in treatment and understanding of GALD. Current treatment is focused on supportive care with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and exchange transfusions. Mortality risk is positively associated with the timing of diagnosis. Although there has been an increase in understanding this disease, the discovery of the specific alloantigen is still needed. Relevant embryology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, medical treatment, and prognosis are discussed to aid health care professionals in the early identification and treatment for the neonate and family unit.