Differential Diagnosis for Right Rib Pain in Pregnancy
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Musculoskeletal strain: This is often due to the changing posture and increased weight during pregnancy, which can put additional strain on the muscles and joints around the rib cage, leading to pain.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone, which can be exacerbated by the physical changes of pregnancy.
- Rib fracture: Although less common, the increased fragility of bones during pregnancy due to hormonal changes can lead to an increased risk of fractures, including rib fractures, from minor trauma.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Pregnancy can worsen GERD symptoms, which may include chest and rib pain due to acid reflux.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Pulmonary embolism: A potentially life-threatening condition where a blood clot blocks an artery in the lung. Pregnancy increases the risk of blood clots, and chest pain is a key symptom.
- Pneumonia: Infection of the lungs that can cause chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. Pregnancy can affect the immune system, potentially making infections more severe.
- Placental abruption: A serious condition where the placenta partially or completely separates from the uterus, which can cause severe abdominal pain and, occasionally, radiating chest or rib pain.
Rare Diagnoses
- Tietze's syndrome: A rare condition characterized by inflammation of the cartilages and surrounding tissues of the ribs, similar to costochondritis but can involve the muscles as well.
- Sickle cell crisis: In individuals with sickle cell disease, pregnancy can trigger a crisis, leading to severe pain episodes, including chest and rib pain, due to sickling of red blood cells.
- Osteonecrosis: Although rare, the hormonal changes of pregnancy can potentially increase the risk of osteonecrosis (death of bone tissue) in susceptible individuals, leading to pain in the affected area, including the ribs.