Obstetrical and neonatal outcome in pregnancies after liver transplantation

The obstetrical and neonatal courses in pregnancies following orthotopic liver transplantation were studied. Maternal and neonatal records were reviewed from six patients (eight pregnancies), cared for by a single practitioner, who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation prior to pregnancy between 1984 and 1999. Demographic data, reason for transplantation, interval from transplantation to pregnancy, immunosuppressive agents, antepartum complications, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were reviewed. Many reasons for transplantation were noted, and no acute graft rejection occurred. Maternal complications noted were mild renal insufficiency, chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, and erythema nodosum. Antepartum complications included oligohydramnios, preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, severe preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, multiple congenital anomalies, and intra-amniotic infection. There was one miscarriage at 8 weeks, one previable and one periviable delivery, and the remainder delivered after 34 weeks. In our cohort of patients, once fetal viability was achieved, patients with a prior liver transplant had reasonable maternal and neonatal outcomes.