Background: Leukaemia in pregnancy is a rare complication demanding a multidisciplinary approach and careful management to handle potential complications and cope with ethical dilemmas.
Patient and methods: We report on a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) relapse in 22 weeks of gestation who received chemotherapy with cytarabine and mitoxantrone, as well as fludarabine, cytarabine, idarubicin, and gemtuzumabozogamicin. We describe findings on regular ultrasound examinations and successful management of complications.
Results: The foetus developed signs of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy, transient cerebral ventriculomegaly, anaemia, and intrauterine growth restriction. The child was delivered by Caesarean section at 33 + 1 weeks of gestation. The newborn showed no congenital malformations.
Conclusion: This case report confirms that chemotherapy for treatment of AML can be applied in the second trimester of pregnancy under close and careful maternal and foetal monitoring.
Copyright (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.