Successful treatment of dermatomyositis during pregnancy with intravenous immunoglobulin monotherapy.
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.
Williams
Lloyd
L
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02135, USA.
Chang
Peter Y
PY
Park
Ellen
E
Gorson
Kenneth C
KC
Bayer-Zwirello
Lucy
L
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
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D003402:Creatine Kinase