Treatment of essential thrombocythemia during pregnancy with interferon-alpha
Delage, R.; Demers, C.; Cantin, G.; Roy, J.
Obstetrics and Gynecology 87(5 Pt 2): 814-817
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-7844 PMID: 8677098 Document Number: 465845
Background: Only a few cases of essential thrombocythemia in pregnant women have been reported, and the management of this myeloproliferative disorder during pregnancy remains uncertain. We report a successful pregnancy in a patient who had essential thrombocythemia and who was treated with interferon-alpha, and we review the literature for the outcome of similar patients. Case: A 32-year-old woman, gravida 4, para 3, aborta 0, presented at 18 weeks' gestation with two episodes of amaurosis fugax and an elevated platelet count of 2300 times 10-9/L. The initiation of interferon-a led to a progressive fall of the platelet level, with no occurrence of thrombotic or hemorrhagic manifestations. Serial ultrasound examinations revealed normal fetal and placental development. The patient was delivered of a male infant at 37 weeks. Both child and placenta were normal on examination. Conclusion: Our case and the current available data suggest that interferon-alpha may be the best therapeutic option for pregnant patients with essential thrombocythemia in whom myelosuppression is required.