A multiparous pregnant patient was admitted to the intensive care unit in her third trimester of pregnancy for prone positioning mechanical ventilation after developing SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19)-related acute respiratory distress syndrome. Repositioning in left lateral tilt was followed by uterine contractions and cardiotocography alterations. Preterm caesarean section was performed based on persistent foetal tachycardia and suspected foetal distress, followed by a per-operative diagnosis of uterine levotorsion. This case report is the first to explore a potential causal link between prolonged prone positioning in late pregnancy and postural gravid uterine torsion and highlights the need for appropriate foetal monitoring during prone positioning mechanical ventilation support.
Keywords: SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19); acute respiratory distress syndrome; pregnancy; prone positioning; uterine torsion.
Published by Oxford University Press and JSCR Publishing Ltd. © The Author(s) 2022.