[Pregnancy after liver transplantation in Groningen: benign course for mothers and children]

Analysing the course and outcome of pregnancies in liver transplant recipients.

Retrospective and descriptive.

Since 1979 liver transplantations have been performed in the University Hospital Groningen, the Netherlands. Seven female patients conceived 12 times after transplantation. These pregnancies were managed by a team of liver transplantation specialists and obstetricians. Hypertensive disorders, foetal growth, liver function tests and infective disorders were monitored specially. The course and outcome of the pregnancies were determined.

The incidence of complications was much lower than in published patient series. The differences in premature deliveries (9 versus 40%) and caesarean births (18 versus 57%) are largely explained by the difference of incidence of hypertensive disorders (18 versus 35%). One woman developed a liver function disorder during pregnancy (9 versus 38%). In the long term the function of the donor liver appeared not to be disturbed; this finding is in accordance with data from other reports. Ten of the 12 pregnancies resulted in the birth of a healthy child. All children were born in good condition and all of them were alive at the completion of the study (minimal follow-up: 10 months).

After liver transplantation there is no need to advise against pregnancy.