[Immunosuppressive drug therapy during pregnancy after kidney transplantation]

Ginekol Pol. 2005 Jul;76(7):586-92.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The authors expounded present state of knowledge concerning immunosuppressive drugs therapy during pregnancy after kidney transplantation. Pregnancy is uncommon in women with end-stage renal disease treated with dialysis and in most cases it ends with pregnancy failure. Resuming the normal function of the ovaries after kidney transplantation substantially increases the chances of conception and successful pregnancy. The immunosuppression scheme and dosage of drugs used in pregnant women are vital to both the normal course of pregnancy and delivery of a healthy child. Considering the safety of the fetus it is acceptable to use prednisone, azathioprine, cyclosporine and tacrolimus. Due to the necessity to administer immunosuppressive drugs in relatively small doses, an important factor conditioning the normal course of pregnancy is maintaining a 1- or 2-year interval between the kidney transplantation and the conception.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Azathioprine / therapeutic use
  • Cyclosporine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic* / surgery
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Complications / etiology
  • Pregnancy, High-Risk
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine
  • Azathioprine
  • Prednisone
  • Tacrolimus