Adult respiratory distress syndrome as a complication of acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy

Two cases of ARDS as a complication of acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy are presented. The severity of the clinical condition necessitated treating both patients by mechanical ventilation with high positive-end expiratory pressure. The review of the only six other similar cases already reported (only one needing vigorous respiratory treatment) as well as the two cases presented in this report show that the pyelonephritic aetiology of ARDS in pregnancy is very rare. Nevertheless, any septic condition could be complicated by respiratory failure in pregnancy. ARDS must be suspected in those patients suffering from urinary tract infection in which signs of hypoxia appeared during the third trimester of pregnancy. Early recognition of the syndrome, closed monitoring and vigorous treatment can prevent maternal complications and/or fetal distress.