Analysis of 100 pregnancy outcomes in women treated systemically with tacrolimus

Transpl Int. 2000:13 Suppl 1:S299-300. doi: 10.1007/s001470050347.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide a summary of clinical findings regarding the safety of tacrolimus in pregnancy. From 1992 to 1998 data were collected on 100 pregnancies from 84 mothers who received tacrolimus systemically; 83 cases of solid organ transplantation, and 1 case of Behçet's disease. Maternal mean age at conception was 28 years and pregnancy outcome was live birth in 68%, spontaneous abortion in 12%, induced abortion in 12%, stillbirth/perinatal death in 3%, ongoing pregnancy in 2%, and lost to follow up in 3%. Fifty-nine percent of the neonates were delivered prematurely (< 37 weeks of gestation). Birth weight was appropriate for the gestational age in 90% of the cases. Malformations occurred in 4 neonates: case 1, meningocele and urogenital defects; case 2, alcoholic embryopathy; case 3, ear defect, cleft palate and hypospadia; case 4, multicystic dysplastic kidney. There was no consistent pattern of malformations and 2 mothers subsequently delivered a healthy neonate while on tacrolimus therapy. Nearly 70% of pregnancies following systemic tacrolimus administration resulted in a favourable outcome without any significant effect on intrauterine growth. The incidence of malformations was similar to that reported with other immunosuppressants in transplant recipients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Birth Weight
  • Congenital Abnormalities / classification
  • Congenital Abnormalities / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology
  • Liver Transplantation / immunology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use*
  • Transplantation Immunology*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tacrolimus