title: Successful treatment of dermatomyositis during pregnancy with intravenous immunoglobulin monotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatomyositis is rare during pregnancy and, if untreated, is associated with poor fetal outcome. Corticosteroids are a standard treatment for dermatomyositis in pregnancy, but they have adverse effects. Intravenous immune globulin is an effective therapy for this condition and may have few adverse effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A young, white primigravida presented with dermatomyositis at 4 5/7 weeks of gestation (creatine kinase 2,762 units/L). Intravenous immune globulin was administered monthly at a dose of 1 g/(kg.d) for 2 consecutive days. The patient's symptoms resolved and no complications were experienced during therapy. At term, creatine kinase was 29 units/L and a healthy 3,657.5-g (8-lb, 1-oz) neonate was born.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnant patients with dermatomyositis can be treated with intravenous immune globulin, resulting in good fetal outcome, thus avoiding the deleterious effects of corticosteroid therapy on pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02135, USA.
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Peter Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Gorson
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bayer-Zwirello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D003402:Creatine Kinase