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Mastocytosis complicating pregnancy.
A S Worobec1, C Akin, L M Scott
1Laboratory of Allergic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1881, USA. aworobec@niaid.nih.gov
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|March 11, 2000
Summary
Pregnancy in women with mastocytosis may lead to symptom exacerbation but generally results in healthy infants. Mastocytosis does not appear to be an absolute contraindication to pregnancy, though some risks exist.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Hematology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Mastocytosis is a rare disorder characterized by the abnormal proliferation of mast cells.
- Pregnancy can influence the course of various chronic diseases, but data on mastocytosis during pregnancy is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the pregnancy outcomes and maternal/neonatal experiences of women with mastocytosis.
- To assess the safety and tolerability of medications used during pregnancy and delivery for mastocytosis patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patient records from 1984-1998 at the National Institutes of Health.
- Inclusion criteria: women with mastocytosis who conceived.
- Data collection included questionnaires and external hospital records for labor and delivery.
Main Results:
- Eight women with mastocytosis experienced 11 pregnancies, resulting in 11 live births.
- Approximately one-third of pregnancies saw worsening of mastocytosis symptoms.
- Medication use decreased due to safety concerns; antihistamines and oral prednisone were most common. Medications during delivery were well tolerated. Neonates were healthy, with no reported cases of urticaria pigmentosa or systemic mastocytosis.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy can lead to mastocytosis exacerbation in some women, but labor and delivery are typically uncomplicated.
- Infants born to mothers with mastocytosis were generally healthy and did not exhibit signs of the condition.
- While not an absolute contraindication, pregnancy in women with mastocytosis carries some increased risks that should be discussed.