Anaesthetic Considerations in a Parturient with Jarcho-Levin Syndrome

Jarcho-Levin syndrome (JLS) was first described in 1938 by Jarcho and Levin as the hereditary malformation of vertebral bodies. It occurs in 1 in 40,000 births,1 and has since been used as an “umbrella” term to describe a broad range of congenital defects affecting the spine and ribs, such as spondylocostal dysplasia (SCD) and spondylothoracic dysplasia (STD).2,3 Such deformities result in a short neck, short trunk, protuberant abdomen and scoliosis. Depending on the severity of the skeletal malformation, respiratory and cardiac function may be affected due to poor lung development and restrictive respiratory function, which can lead to pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure.
Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research