Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria in pregnancy
Lange, J.G.; Griever, G.E.; Brand, A.; van Roosmalen, J.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 142(42): 2308-2311
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 9864527 Document Number: 487552
The combination of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) and pregnancy occurred in three women aged 29, 31 and 35 years. One patient had a spontaneous abortion twice after which she committed suicide. In the other two the pregnancy and parturition--assisted--were without complications. However, one woman developed post-partum abdominal crises. The children were born at term and healthy. PNH is a rare form of haemolytic anemia. Pregnancy causes lethal complications in 6% of the cases of PNH, while 30% of the pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion or stillbirth. Accurate monitoring of pregnancy and the puerperium is essential.