Paralysed with Fear a Literature Review on Aspects of Pregnancy in Polio Survivors

Abstract

After several decades of stability, female polio survivors often experience new signs and symptoms of their condition, characterized by global and muscular fatigue, decreased muscular strength and pain along with secondary changes in body anatomy and physiology with respect to pregnancy. Problems of ante-partum care and delivery of women who have been victims of poliomyelitis are fortunately rarely encountered. These women have a higher occurrence of pre-eclampsia, gestational proteinuria, renal disease prior to pregnancy, vaginal bleeding and urinary tract infection during pregnancy. Deliveries complicated by obstruction of the birth process are more common in the polio group, and cesarean section is performed at a higher rate throughout the time period. The prognosis of the disease when it occurs during pregnancy may be less predictable, but it is generally good for both mother and infant. Although the incidence of abortion is relatively high, if the pregnancy goes to term parturition is expected to be normal. An amalgamation of good antenatal assessment & care, psychological counselling and support groups have been found to be successful in providing them with the best possible outcome. This paper reviews what is currently known about disabled survivors of polio and highlights areas of need in public health research, policy and programming along with the effects of post-polio syndrome on pregnancy and possible interventions to achieve symptomatic relief & aid in better quality of life.