From 1979-1988, 134 inpatients (m:f = 80:54) were treated because of an intracranial angioma (AVM). The male/female ratio was 3/2 in general as well as during the "reproductive age" (15-45 yrs). In 6 patients (20-27 yrs; grav 2/para 1: n = 3; grav 1/para 0: n = 3) the AVM became symptomatic during pregnancy (n = 4: 23-33 gestational week) or at birth (n = 2). In the group of the presently non-pregnant women (n = 40) 47 uncomplicated deliveries had occurred years before. We conclude that the available data neither allow us to reject nor to confirm the hypothesis that pregnancy and/or delivery influence the manifestation of cerebral AVMs. The reasons for this dilemma of epidemiology are discussed.
Adolescent Adult