Association of pregnancy complications and choice of immunosuppressant in liver transplant patients.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with antenatal complications for an ongoing series of pregnant women who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation.

METHODS

We reviewed Magee-Womens Hospital records from 14 pregnancies in 13 women in whom a liver had been transplanted before pregnancy. We collected and analyzed data regarding the primary liver disease, allograft status, liver function at conception and during pregnancy, immunosuppressive medications, associated medical conditions, time from transplant to conception, cytomegalovirus serostatus, and maternal and fetal outcome.

RESULTS

Seven patients had evidence of renal dysfunction (creatinine, 1.3-2.0 mg/dl), five of whom also were hypertensive at their first prenatal visit. The complications of preeclampsia, worsening hypertension, and small for gestational age occurred only in women with renal dysfunction at conception. Renal dysfunction was more often associated with cyclosporine than tacrolimus use.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal dysfunction is the primary determinant of adverse pregnancy outcome in liver transplant recipients. Immunosuppression with cyclosporine during pregnancy was more often associated with antenatal complications than with the use of tacrolimus.