Postpartum uveitis.

A review of the literature supports the concept that serum levels of corticosteroids are elevated during pregnancy. Even a concurrent increase in cortisol-binding globulin (CBG) does not entirely neutralize the increased levels of cortisol. Thus, body tissues are exposed to more free cortisol than in the nonpregnant state. After delivery there is a rapid reduction of serum corticosteroids to the nonpregnant level. A granulomatous disease such as sarcoidosis may be suppressed by the high serum cortisol level. In the puerperium with a reduction of the serum cortisol, exacerbation of such a disease is likely. The case presented demonstrates this phenomenon.