[Vulvar angioedema during pregnancy]. / Vulvair angio-oedeem tijdens de zwangerschap.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Angioedema is a condition of acute and extensive fluid accumulation in skin or mucosae due to increased blood vessel permeability. Angioedema can have several causes, including pregnancy. CASE DESCRIPTION A healthy 33-year-old pregnant woman had acute, substantial swelling of the labia minora with no other symptoms. Based on clinical criteria, angioedema was diagnosed. Laboratory testing did not find any C1 inhibitor deficiency and hereditary angioedema was excluded for that reason. The swelling spontaneously disappeared within 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: In this case, the cause of the angioedema could not be found and the swelling disappeared on its own. Investigation into the cause may nevertheless be relevant, since choice of therapy depends on the underlying mechanism.