SWOLLEN LEGS AND FACE AFTER DELIVERY

My sister delivered three weeks ago and was discharged the next day. Two days later she complained of headache and her leg were getting swollen while we were on our way to the hospital. She had convulsions like epilepsy. She was unconscious for five days. She is talking now and eating food little by little but her legs are still swollen and she is not urinating well. We also noticed that her face is also swelling which wasn’t thethere when we brought her. What do we do? Saratu, Niger

From the explanation above, your sister had eclampsia that is high blood pressure with convulsions during pregnancy or after delivery. There may be associated proteinuria, that is protein in urine.

From the persistent leg swelling, swollen face and the low output urine, it’s likely the kidney has been affected. First where is your sister now? Which hospital? Is it a Teaching or Specialist hospital. If not let her be referred to a standard hospital. The patient has to be managed by a specialist, preferably Obstetrician and a Nephrologist.

There is need for urgent urea, electrolytes and creatinine to assess the level of kidney damage for appropriate treatment. If it’s necessary dialysis will bedone. In most cases the pathological changes are reversible.