Neurofibromatosis and severe hypertension in pregnancy

Four pregnant patients with neurofibromatosis (Von Recklinghausen's disease) either developed hypertension during pregnancy or had an exacerbation of a pre-existing chronic hypertension. Two patients required early termination of pregnancy for severe hypertension; a third had severe intrauterine growth retardation resulting in intrauterine fetal death; and one had an otherwise uneventful pregnancy and a live healthy infant. Because of the association between neurofibromatosis and hypertension, patients with neurofibromatosis require special antenatal care and management.