Susac syndrome and pregnancy: a review of published cases and considerations for patient management

Barbara Willekens; Ilka Kleffner

doi:10.1177/1756286420981352

Susac syndrome and pregnancy: a review of published cases and considerations for patient management

Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2021 Jan 30:14:1756286420981352. doi: 10.1177/1756286420981352. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Barbara Willekens¹, Ilka Kleffner²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, Edegem, 2650, Belgium.
² University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.

Abstract

Susac syndrome (SuS) is a rare autoimmune endotheliopathy leading to hearing loss, branch retinal artery occlusions and encephalopathy. Young females are more frequently affected than males, making counselling for family planning an important issue. We reviewed published cases on SuS during pregnancy or in the postpartum period, and selected 27 reports describing the details of 33 patients with SuS. Treatment options and implications for pregnancy and breastfeeding are discussed. We propose new areas for research and suggest a management strategy.

Keywords: Susac syndrome; pregnancy.

Publication types

Review