Spectrum, management, and outcomes of non-obstetric neurological disorders in pregnancy: a descriptive case series from a tertiary centre in India
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Abstract
Background Neurological disorders unrelated to obstetric pathology are an under-recognised cause of maternal morbidity in pregnancy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence describing their clinical spectrum, management, and outcomes remains limited. Methods We conducted a prospective descriptive case series study at a tertiary care centre in central India between April 2024 and November 2025. Pregnant and postpartum women (≤6 weeks) diagnosed with neurological disorders of non-obstetric origin were included. Data on clinical presentation, neurological diagnoses, management, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were collected and analysed descriptively. Results Among 1,860 deliveries, 17 women (9.1 per 1,000 deliveries) were diagnosed with non-obstetric neurological disorders. Structural intracranial lesions and autoimmune/demyelinating disorders were the most frequent diagnoses (each 29%). Ten women (65%) underwent caesarean section, and four (24%) required intensive care. Maternal mortality occurred in two women (12%), both with intracranial pathology. Fifteen women (88%) were discharged in stable condition, although three had residual neurological deficits. There were 15 live births; most neonates had favourable short-term outcomes, although preterm birth was common. One neonate developed transient neonatal myasthenia gravis. Conclusions This case series “Spectrum, management, and outcomes of non-obstetric neurological disorders in pregnancy: a descriptive case series from a tertiary centre in India”describes non-obstetric neurological disorders in pregnancy are heterogeneous and associated with significant maternal morbidity, particularly in women with intracranial pathology. Early diagnosis and coordinated multidisciplinary care are essential to optimise maternal and neonatal outcomes. Larger multicentre studies are needed to better define disease burden and predictors of adverse outcomes in low-resource settings.
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BibTeX
@article{singh2026spectrum,
title = {{Spectrum, management, and outcomes of non-obstetric neurological disorders in pregnancy: a descriptive case series from a tertiary centre in India}},
author = {Amrita Singh and Medha Davile and Shuchita Mundle and Shivani Singh},
journal = {BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12884-026-09203-0},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09203-0},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Spectrum, management, and outcomes of non-obstetric neurological disorders in pregnancy: a descriptive case series from a tertiary centre in India
AU - Amrita Singh
AU - Medha Davile
AU - Shuchita Mundle
AU - Shivani Singh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
DO - 10.1186/s12884-026-09203-0
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09203-0
AB - Background Neurological disorders unrelated to obstetric pathology are an under-recognised cause of maternal morbidity in pregnancy, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence describing their clinical spectrum, management, and outcomes remains limited. Methods We conducted a prospective descriptive case series study at a tertiary care centre in central India between April 2024 and November 2025. Pregnant and postpartum women (≤6 weeks) diagnosed with neurological disorders of non-obstetric origin were included. Data on clinical presentation, neurological diagnoses, management, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were collected and analysed descriptively. Results Among 1,860 deliveries, 17 women (9.1 per 1,000 deliveries) were diagnosed with non-obstetric neurological disorders. Structural intracranial lesions and autoimmune/demyelinating disorders were the most frequent diagnoses (each 29%). Ten women (65%) underwent caesarean section, and four (24%) required intensive care. Maternal mortality occurred in two women (12%), both with intracranial pathology. Fifteen women (88%) were discharged in stable condition, although three had residual neurological deficits. There were 15 live births; most neonates had favourable short-term outcomes, although preterm birth was common. One neonate developed transient neonatal myasthenia gravis. Conclusions This case series “Spectrum, management, and outcomes of non-obstetric neurological disorders in pregnancy: a descriptive case series from a tertiary centre in India”describes non-obstetric neurological disorders in pregnancy are heterogeneous and associated with significant maternal morbidity, particularly in women with intracranial pathology. Early diagnosis and coordinated multidisciplinary care are essential to optimise maternal and neonatal outcomes. Larger multicentre studies are needed to better define disease burden and predictors of adverse outcomes in low-resource settings.
SN - 1471-2393
ER -