Pregnancy in patients with organ transplantation: a review

Women can undergo organ transplantation before or during childbearing years. Most pregnancies have been reported in women with renal allografts, but pregnancy is possible in women with various solid organ transplants. No specific structural malformations have been reported after immunosuppressant use in pregnancy; however, the perinatal risks of hypertension, growth restriction, and preterm delivery exist. Immunosuppressive therapy must be maintained and monitored during pregnancy to prevent rejection. Immunosuppressant therapy for allograft protection continues to change faster than safety information regarding human pregnancy is accumulated. This review discusses the pregnancy management for women with various organ transplants. Each group of recipients must deal with specific issues related to the organ transplanted and the underlying medical condition for which the transplant was necessary. Pregnancy in women with organ transplants is now not only common, but often successful for both mother and infant.