Stiff-person syndrome first manifesting in pregnancy

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2009;67(2):134-6. doi: 10.1159/000172804. Epub 2008 Nov 13.

Abstract

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neurological disorder characterised by progressive stiffness and painful muscle spasms. We present a case of the autoimmune form of glutamate decarboxylase-positive SPS that initially manifested in pregnancy. The diagnosis was made based on clinical, laboratory and electromyoneurographic criteria. The patient was administered low doses of diazepam and baclofen. Considering the clinical picture of SPS patients, caesarean section is the method of choice for pregnancy termination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cesarean Section
  • Electromyography / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / immunology*
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications / immunology
  • Pregnancy Complications / surgery
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Rare Diseases
  • Risk Assessment
  • Stiff-Person Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Stiff-Person Syndrome / immunology*
  • Stiff-Person Syndrome / surgery
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / deficiency

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Glutamate Decarboxylase