Q: What is the pitfall in diagnosing abdominal compartment syndrome in postpartum hemorrhage patients? 


 Answer: Post C-section, the normal postpartum patient may have an intra-abdominal pressure (bladder pressure) as equal to pregnant patients with true intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), also known as intra-abdominal compartment syndrome. This may lead to ignore or misdiagnosed IAH secondary to postpartum hemorrhage.


Reference: 

 Abdel-Razeq SS, Campbell K, Funai EF, et al. Normative postpartum intraabdominal pressure: potential implications in the diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010; 203:149.e1.