title: Prednisone dosage and pregnancy outcome in renal allograft recipients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The literature contains reports of 2309 pregnancies in some 1600 women who have undergone renal transplantation. Certain pre-pregnancy factors, especially hypertension, renal graft dysfunction, short interval between transplant and pregnancy, and high immunosuppressive drug dosage, appear to increase the neonatal risks.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the outcome of 42 pregnancies in 27 allograft recipients at Rabin Medical Center (Beilinson Campus) in Israel during the last 8 years. All were treated with combination immunosuppression regimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average interval from transplantation to conception was 3.7 +/- 0.4 years (2 months to 9 years). Rejection episodes occurred in 37% prior to pregnancy but in none during or immediately after pregnancy. Twenty-eight percent of the pregnancies ended in therapeutic or spontaneous abortions, and 29 of the 30 deliveries ended in a live birth. The prematurity rate (63%) was similar to that described in the literature for this patient group. Renal deterioration was evident in seven women (26%) within 2 years after delivery. Use of 7.5 mg/d prednisone (vs. 10 mg/d) before pregnancy was observed as the most significant preconception parameter related to better pregnancy outcome. A long interval from transplantation to conception and lack of pre-existing hypertension were also significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The better pregnancy outcome associated with lower prednisone dosage is probably related to the fact that the patients selected to receive the low-dose regimen have had a longer and less complicated post-transplantation course.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Peath Tiqva, Israel.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bar
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fisch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittenberg
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gelerenter
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hod
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011241:Prednisone