Cytarabine-Induced Hyperbilirubinemia in a Pregnant Patient With Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Anjana Rajan1, Abdelwahab Ahmed2, Yalda Dehghan3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL.

ACG Case Reports Journal
|February 10, 2025
PubMed

This case study presents the first reported instance of cytarabine-induced hyperbilirubinemia in a pregnant patient undergoing treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Despite experiencing direct hyperbilirubinemia during induction therapy, the patient exhibited no other signs of liver dysfunction. Lowering the cytarabine dose in subsequent cycles resulted in milder bilirubin elevations without compromising treatment efficacy. The patient gave birth to a healthy baby at term between cycles, underscoring the benign nature of this effect on both maternal and fetal health. This case contributes valuable insight into the management and outcomes of cytarabine-induced hyperbilirubinemia in a rare population: pregnant patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

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