Association of leukemia and pregnancy: clinical and obstetric aspects

The association of leukemia and pregnancy is not common. We have analyzed the hematologic and obstetric problems occurring in 10 pregnant leukemic patients, 7 with acute leukemia and 3 with chronic myeloid leukemia. One patient died in the fifth month of pregnancy with a nonviable fetus. There was one premature twin birth with both fetuses dead. The other fetuses were viable, although there was one premature birth and three fetuses had below-normal birth weights. No bleeding complications were observed during delivery. Three patients had infections during puerperium. This article discusses the possible influences and relations between leukemia and pregnancy, based on our observations and on data in the literature.