Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2003 May;46(5):1037-1042.

Acute Leukemia and Myelodysplasitc Syndrome During Pregnancy A Single Institutional Experience of 4 Cases

• Kim JY
• Cho JH
• Chang SW
• Kim HC
• Kang SH
• Cho HJ
• Lee KM
• Eun MN
• Jung SG
• Kim YA
• Chong SY
• Oh DY

Abstract

We have reviewed the medical records of 4 pregnant patients with concomitant acute leukemia at our institution in conjunction with determining the delivery process in order to reduce complications associated with the delivery. Of the 4 patients, three cases were diagnosed as acute leukemia and the other as myelodysplastic syndrome. One experienced an incomplete abortion at gestational age of 10 weeks, after remission induction chemotherapy. The remaining three patients made delivery at full term by Cesarean section. Our observation indicated that Cesarean delivery was advisable for these three patients. Most of the patients had thrombocytopenia or anemia. Before the Cesarean section or dilatation or evacuation, transfusion was undertaken to prevent hemorrhage or severe anemia. In the cases of refractoriness to blood transfusion, a greater amount was transfused. After Cesarean section, some complications were reported such as fever, delayed wound repair, and vaginal bleeding. Based on the our observations, we are of the opinion that pregnant women with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome can be managed even in those cases where the state of leukemia is not in complete remission or chemotherapy-induced cytopenia is. And the proper measures are timely undertaken to prevent complications associated with delivery.

Keyword

Acute leukemia; Myelodysplastic syndrome; Pregnancy; Delivery; Complications

MeSH Terms

Abortion, Incomplete
Anemia
Blood Transfusion
Cesarean Section
Dilatation
Drug Therapy
Female
Fever
Gestational Age
Hemorrhage
Humans
Leukemia*
Medical Records
Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Pregnancy*
Pregnant Women
Remission Induction
Thrombocytopenia
Uterine Hemorrhage
Wounds and Injuries