title: Rituximab administration in third trimester of pregnancy suppresses neonatal B-cell development.
abstract: We describe the effect on the neonate of administration of rituximab to a woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, was given weekly for 4 weeks to a woman with ITP in her third trimester of pregnancy. One month after the last rituximab administration a healthy girl was born. She had normal growth and development during the first six months. At birth, B-lymphocytes were not detectable. Rituximab levels in mother and neonate were 24000 and 6700 ng/mL, respectively. Only 7 cases of rituximab administration during pregnancy were described. No adverse events are described for fetus and neonate. We demonstrate that rituximab passes the placenta and inhibits neonatal B-lymphocyte development. However, after 6 months B-lymphocyte levels normalized and vaccination titres after 10 months were adequate. No infection-related complications occurred. Rituximab administration during pregnancy appears to be safe for the child but further studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1018 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Klink
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: van Elburg
authors.forename: M W J
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Schreurs
authors.forename: G T J
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: van Well
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab