Perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) in pregnancy during Ramadan fasting.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Perforated Peptic Ulcer (PPU) is extremely rare in pregnancy. We report a case of perforated peptic ulcer in pregnancy during Ramadan fasting. PATIENT AND METHODS: The patient is a 16 years old primigravida who presented with features of peritonitis at 28weeks of gestation while fasting during Ramadan. Ultrasound scan reported a singleton live fetus at 28 weeks gestation. At laparotomy via upper midline incision; a 1 cm roundish perforation located on the duodenum anteriorly was found with about a litre of gastric juice mixed with blood and food particles in the peritoneal cavity. The perforation was close transversely with omental patch (Modified Graham's patch) and peritoneal lavage done with warm saline. She had a preterm delivery of a 1 kg baby 3 days post-operatively by a spontaneous vaginal delivery, but the baby died 3 days later. CONCLUSIONS: Perforated Peptic Ulcer(PPU) though rare in pregnancy can occur and fasting can be a risk factor.