Maternal-fetal pneumomediastinum complicating labor. Report of a case and review of the literature

Maternal pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema is a rare, alarming but relatively benign complication of labor. It usually manifests itself during the second stage. Once it is diagnosed, further bearing down should be avoided and labor shortened. Due to its rarity, a case is reported with a review of literature. In this case pneumomediastinum and pneumothorax occurred in the newborn, also. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of simultaneous pneumomediastinum in mother and neonate.