Konagai Nao, Iwanaga Naoko, Minami Manabu, Yoshimatsu Jun
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Konagai, Iwanaga, Yoshimatsu).
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Konagai, Iwanaga, Yoshimatsu).
J Clin Lipidol. 2025 May-Jun;19(3):714-717. doi: 10.1016/j.jacl.2025.01.001. Epub 2025 Jan 8.
Cholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder resulting from a deficiency of lysosomal acid lipase (LAL). It is characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol esters in various tissues, leading to atherosclerotic diseases or severe hepatic dysfunction in younger individuals. Pregnancy has remained an essential challenge for women with CESD because of the poor prognosis. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) using sebelipase alfa, a recombinant form of LAL, is effective in improving lipid profiles and reversing liver dysfunction in patients with CESD. This novel therapy may facilitate safer pregnancy outcomes. This report details the experience of a 30-year-old pregnant woman with CESD who received ERT. Given the absence of CESD complications, colestimide was the only medication administered during pregnancy. The patient had a full-term vaginal delivery with no obstetric complications or fetal congenital anomalies. Following delivery, transient triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and liver enzyme increases were observed. However, restarting ERT led to a gradual improvement in the liver function and lipid profile.