Which obstetric complications are associated with autonomic dysreflexia?

Which obstetric complications are associated with autonomic dysreflexia?

• A. Preterm labor and increased cesarean delivery risk
• B. Decreased risk of preeclampsia
• C. No impact on postpartum depression
• D. Fetal macrosomia as primary risk

Answer: (A)

Autonomic dysreflexia in pregnancy signals potential obstetric complications because the sudden, excessive sympathetic response can raise maternal blood pressure dramatically and trigger uterine irritability. These hypertensive episodes can reduce placental perfusion and stimulate contractions, increasing the chance of preterm labor. When these episodes are difficult to control during labor, delivery by cesarean is more likely, so the risk of cesarean delivery rises. That combination—preterm labor with a higher likelihood of cesarean delivery—best reflects the obstetric impact of autonomic dysreflexia. The other possibilities don’t align with the typical consequences: it isn’t known for decreasing preeclampsia risk, it doesn’t directly cause postpartum depression as a primary effect, and fetal macrosomia is not a typical result of autonomic dysreflexia.

Autonomic dysreflexia in pregnancy signals potential obstetric complications because the sudden, excessive sympathetic response can raise maternal blood pressure dramatically and trigger uterine irritability. These hypertensive episodes can reduce placental perfusion and stimulate contractions, increasing the chance of preterm labor. When these episodes are difficult to control during labor, delivery by cesarean is more likely, so the risk of cesarean delivery rises. That combination—preterm labor with a higher likelihood of cesarean delivery—best reflects the obstetric impact of autonomic dysreflexia. The other possibilities don’t align with the typical consequences: it isn’t known for decreasing preeclampsia risk, it doesn’t directly cause postpartum depression as a primary effect, and fetal macrosomia is not a typical result of autonomic dysreflexia.