Korean J Perinatol.
2006 Jun;17(2):149-156.
Clinical Outcome of Pregnancy-associated Aplastic Anemia Treated with Supportive Anagement
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. spkim@catholic.ac.kr
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia remains a rare occurrence. The aim of this study was to examine the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia treated with supportive care.
METHODS
From January 1995 to December 2004, a total of 14 women newly diagnosed with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia were recruited for the study.
RESULTS
Eleven (78%) of the 14 women were diagnosed with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia during the second or third trimester. There were eight severe cases; three of which were diagnosed at the initial presentation. All 14 women had conservative management with transfusions but not specific immunological or hormonal therapies during pregnancy. Blood transfusions were performed prenatally in seven mothers and perinatally in 13. Of the 12 patients eligible for follow-up, one achieved complete remission and another eight showed partial remission after delivery. During the follow up period, there was no case of maternal-fetal death in our series. The pregnancies were continued uneventfully in most cases.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes with transfusion support alone for pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia. Therefore, pregnancy continuation with meticulous blood support should be considered, rather than therapeutic termination, for women with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia.
