Gitelman syndrome in pregnancy: a case series

Objective: To evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes in women with Gitelman syndrome (GS).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of the clinical data of five patients with the clinical diagnosis of GS during pregnancy, who were admitted to Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University between 2013 and 2019, was conducted.

Results: Five women with GS during pregnancy who finally gave birth to a total of eight newborns have been included. Three cases were primiparas and two cases were multiparas. Two cases were diagnosed before pregnancy and three cases were diagnosed in first or second trimester. The primary treatment was oral or intravenous electrolytes supplement. Three patients delivered through the vagina, and shoulder dystocia occurred in one patient. Two patients delivered by cesarean section, with one because of symptom of limb weakness during the course of labor and the other owing to gestational diabetes with fetal macrosomia. Postpartum hemorrhage and urinary retention were not reported in these cases. In perinatal period all the infants had good outcome. The children, aged between six months and five years, were healthy and well-developed during follow-up.

Conclusion: The maternal and perinatal outcome is usually favorable. We should pay attention to electrolyte examination in the first trimester in order to diagnose and manage the GS efficiently. Well-controlled patients with Gitelman syndrome can deliver through the vagina.

Keywords: Gitelman syndrome; hypokalemia; hypomagnesemia; perinatal care; pregnancy.