Delivery in female kidney transplant recipients with hepatitis C virus infection: is it safe for mother and newborn?

Prog Transplant. 2012 Jun;22(2):141-4, 154. doi: 10.7182/pit2012667.

Abstract

The aim of this report is to evaluate whether pregnancy is a risk factor for poor outcome of infection with hepatitis C virus or for allograft deterioration among kidney transplant recipients. The first case was in a 41-year-old pregnant kidney transplant recipient with hypercreatinemia and a history of toxic hepatitis. The second case was treated with interferon before transplant. Tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens were used during the pregnancies. Hypertension complicated both pregnancies, and the pregnancies ended with cesarean delivery at preterm and term with healthy but low-weight newborns. The first patient became positive for hepatitis C virus RNA after pregnancy without a flare in transaminase level. Antibodies to hepatitis C virus were negative in the newborns. In conclusion, pregnancy should be promoted for kidney recipients infected with hepatitis C virus who have stable graft and liver function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cesarean Section*
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / transmission
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / prevention & control
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Registries

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents