The effects of non-functioning pituitary adenomas on pregnancy

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are a group of hormonally inactive adenomas. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of NFPAs on pregnancy.

Thirty patients with NFPAs and without hormone deficiency or excess were included. We retrospectively evaluated anterior pituitary hormone levels, follow-up periods, pituitary imaging findings, symptoms associated with adenoma size increase during pregnancy, adverse pregnancy outcomes, delivery procedures, pregnancy week at delivery, birth weight, and lactation duration.

The mean age of the patients was 41.26±9.06 years, and the mean follow-up after diagnosis was 92.8 months. Seven were diagnosed with macroadenomas (defined as the largest diameter >10 mm) and 23 had microadenomas. There were 92 pregnancies in total. The incidence of nausea-vomiting and visual impairment during pregnancy were more common in the macroadenoma group (p=0.016 and p=0.042, respectively). Spontaneous pregnancy rates were high. The patients with NFPAs did not have an increased risk of pregnancy-related complications compared to the general population, and there were no obvious negative effects on fetal development or lactation. NFPAs were not associated with an increased cesarean section rate.

These findings suggest that NFPAs, even macroadenomatous NFPAs, have no negative effects on pregnancy outcomes, fetal development, or lactation.