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

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. (Progress in Transplantation. 2012; 22:141-144,154) (C) 2012 NATCO, The Organization for Transplant Professionals doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7182/pit2012667