[Update on endocrinology: management of prolactinomas during pregnancy]

The prolactinomas are the most common functioning pituitary tumors. The hyperprolactinemia is associated with anovulation and infertility.

a) describe the relationship between hyperprolactinemia and fertility, b) review the results of the use of dopamine agonists during pregnancy and embryo-fetal development and c) review the therapeutic management in micro and macroprolactinomas during pregnancy.

Medical therapy with dopamine agonists is the best treatment for prolactinomas of any size or invasiveness and restores ovulatory cycles in 80-90 % of patients. Cabergoline currently suggested rather than bromocriptine due to their excellent tolerability and long half-life. In general, it is recommended that fetal exposure to all drugs be limited to as short a period as possible. In the absence of menstrual period, the drug should be discontinued and confirm pregnancy.

Both, bromocriptine and cabergoline, showed no evidence of obstetric and neonatal complications; however, experience with bromocriptine is higher. The patients with macroprolactinomas should be monitored clinically and evaluate the symptoms related to increased tumor size. If growth in the adenoma is suspected, nuclear magnetic resonance and neuro-ophthalmologic examination should be performed. In microprolactinomas the ophthalmologic examination is no formal indication. There is evidence that breastfeeding no increased risk for tumor growth.