[Polyneuropathies of pregnancy. Clinical neurophysiological, and anatomo-pathological study apropos of 38 cases collected at the Neurology Clinic of the the Fann University Hospital Center].

Authors are studying the clinical, electrophysiological, and anatomical aspects of polyneuropathies of 28 observations in Clinic Neurologic of Fann, the onset occurred in pregnancy. Relations with Tropical Neuro-myelopathies (TNM) are emphasized. 28 observations concerning young women between 17 and 35 years old, the onset of neuropathy occurred in pregnancy or immediate post-partum period or miscarriage. Electrophysiological examination and neuromuscular biopsy are performed. Current neuropathological technics were done with the biopsy material including teased fiber and electron microscope examination. Three clinical forms were individualized: polyneuritis form; polyradiculoneuritis form, and the combined sclerosis of the spinal cord. Aetiological conditions were discussed for each clinical form with their evolution course. None of these patients had positive retroviral serology (HIV or HTLV-I). No clinical particularity was found with polyneuritis form; polyradiculoneuritis form was of axonal type; combined sclerosis of the spinal cord showed demyelinating neuropathy. A good electrical and clinico-anatomical correlation was found in each clinical form. Clinical, biological, electrophysiological and anatomical aspects are discussed. Pregnant polyneuropathies are bad known clinical entity, but are frequent in women of childbearing age (21% of PN and 38.7% of TNM) in young women. 50% are from 28 to 36 years old multiparous. Three clinical forms have identical features with TNM with a poor economic and nutritional condition but no relation with HTLV-I. Clinical, electrophysiological and histological finding are correlated with evolution and prognosis.