Biol Neonate 2002 Feb;81(2):73-81
Prevot A, Martini S, Guignard JP.
Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric
Nephrology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
The number of pregnant women receiving immunosuppressants for anti-rejection therapy or autoimmune diseases is increasing.
All immunosuppressive drugs cross the placenta, raising questions about the long-term outcome of the children exposed in utero.
There is no higher risk of congenital anomalies.
However, an increased incidence of prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and generally low birth weight has been reported, as well as maternal hypertension and preeclampsia.
The most frequent neonatal complications are those associated with prematurity and IUGR, as well as adrenal insufficiency with corticosteroids, immunological disturbances with azathioprine and cyclosporine, and hyperkalemia with tacrolimus.
The long-term follow-up of infants
exposed to immunosuppressants in utero is still limited and experimental
studies raise the question whether there could be an increased incidence
at adult age of some pathologies including renal insufficiency, hypertension
and diabetes.
Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel