Clinical presentation, diagnosis, long term effects of pelvic inflammatory disease, contraceptive options

Types of infections, early detection, diagnosis impact on pregnant woman, treatment

Aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, management and treatment options

Pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, infection, effects, newborn, mother

Acute abdomen describes severe abdominal pain usually of less than 24 hours’ duration that may require emergency surgery. This is a very common presentation in the gynaecology services. In the pregnant patient the underlying cause may be pregnancy related or non-pregnancy related. Assessment and diagnosis are often challenging due to the influence of pregnancy on maternal physiology and the very wide range of differential diagnoses [1]. Abdominal pain is a very common symptom in pregnancy that most often resolves without much intervention. This observation may make the clinician complacent and therefore less suspicious of more serious or life-threatening underlying pathology. Diagnostic evaluation is further complicated by altered reference ranges of laboratory tests. A multidisciplinary team approach is essential to facilitate an efficient diagnostic workup as well as ensuring the most effective treatment is initiated without undue delay.