Factors that affect subclinical carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)‎ during pregnancy period

Abstract EN

Background : pregnancy is a normal physiological phenomenon with many biochemical changes ranging from alterations in electrolyte concentrations to more complex changes in cortisol and calcium metabolism.

These changes together with fluid retention can lead to repetitive strain illnesses like carpal tunnel syndrome and these changes may be subclinical, yet could be chronic and might lead to serious complications. Aim of the study : is to know which of the pregnant females are at more risk of developing subclinical CTS. Results and discussion : the effect of some factors like the gestational age, gestational history, occupation of the pregnant females and some blood parameters on the presence of the subclinical CTS have been tested and it was shown that there were no statistically changes in most parameters other than the BMI, gestational age and part of the gestational history with the ESR.

These results can be explained by the increment in fluid retention that is accompanied with maternal weight gain with the progress of the gestational age, also due to recurrent exposure to pathophysiological changes into the median nerve function that take place during repetitive pregnancies.