OBJECTIVE: To highlight an unusual cause of autonomic dysreflexia in tetraplegia and present a review of the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Case report of a patient in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, UK. METHODS: A 33-year-old woman with C6 incomplete tetraplegia presented with signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia attributed to breastfeeding. RESULTS: Cessation of breastfeeding was effective in stopping autonomic dysreflexia. CONCLUSION: Autonomic dysreflexia is associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Identification of the triggering cause is vital in order to prevent further complications. Breastfeeding is an unusual and unexpected cause of autonomic dysreflexia.
OBJECTIVE: To highlight an unusual cause of autonomic dysreflexia in tetraplegia and present a review of the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Case report of a patient in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, UK. METHODS: A 33-year-old woman with C6 incomplete tetraplegia presented with signs and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia attributed to breastfeeding. RESULTS: Cessation of breastfeeding was effective in stopping autonomic dysreflexia. CONCLUSION:Autonomic dysreflexia is associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Identification of the triggering cause is vital in order to prevent further complications. Breastfeeding is an unusual and unexpected cause of autonomic dysreflexia.