Factitious disorder-by-proxy simulating fetal growth restriction

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Trahern W JonesCarl H Rose

Abstract

Although a variety of presentations have been described in the literature, the true prevalence of factitious disorder, also commonly known as Münchausen syndrome, and factitious disorder-by-proxy in pregnancy is unknown. The authors present a unique case in which intrauterine fetal growth restriction was simulated through fabrication of prenatal records. A 30-year-old woman, gravida 6 para 3113, was transferred at 38 4/7 weeks of gestation for severe fetal growth restriction. The clinic listed in the patient-provided prenatal record was contacted to obtain original ultrasonographic reports for verification of gestational age; however, further investigation revealed the patient had never attended this clinic nor was the ostensible treating physician ever employed there. The initial prenatal record subsequently was determined to be entirely fabricated. In this era of extensive technologic resources, health care providers should consider the possibility of factitious disorder when patient-provided medical record-derived information is inconsistent with the clinical presentation.

References

Sep 15, 1985·American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·R C Goodlin
Jan 24, 1998·Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey·E C Edi-OsagieN E Edi-Osagie
Nov 18, 2006·International Journal of Clinical Practice·M D Feldman, J C Hamilton

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.