Obstructive sleep apnoea in a puerperal patient with Hallermann-Streiff syndrome

A 26 yr old puerperal female with Hallermann-Streiff syndrome developed ser ious obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome during pregnancy. She underwent an e lective Caesarean section delivery but ending the pregnancy did not improve her clinical symptoms. By treating her with nasal continuous positive airw ay pressure, a worsening of her headaches and glaucoma was prevented. The a dministration of acetazolamide controlled all of her symptoms. Treatment wi th nasal ventilation is the best initial approach, it is also important to assure normal oxygenation before pregnancy since the foetus may: suffer fro m the severe deprivation that may occur in these patients.