A Case of Cushing’s Syndrome in Pregnancy

Abstract

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) occurs rarely during pregnancy. CS can be caused by prolonged abnormal exposure to excess glucocorticoids leading to special and significant signs and symptoms. It is often difficult to diagnose pathological hypercortisolism in pregnant women since some symptoms of the disease might be due to a complicated pregnancy, including preeclampsia or gestational diabetes. In this study, we report the case of a 29-year-old female who referred to our institution with hypertension, weakness, steria, and truncal obesity. Physical examination revealed cushingoid characteristic. She was also found to be 27 weeks pregnant. CS was diagnosed on the basis of abnormal serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) levels, as well as radiologic findings. She eventually gave birth to a preterm infant via vaginal delivery. A right adrenal adenoma was diagnosed and was subsequently treated with surgical resection. The patient’s condition remained stable after the surgery.