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Mitsuhiro Hiratsuka, Hisanori Minakami, Shiro Koshizuka, Ikuo Sato
Administration of interferon-? during pregnancy: effects on fetus
Interferon-? (IF?) is used for the treatment of myeloproliferative diseases and chronic viral illnesses. Because the agent has antiproliferative activity, its effects on a fetus are a concern. We encountered a 40-year-old Japanese woman who inadvertently received IF? during pregnancy for the treatment of HCV hepatitis. The patient received 5 million units of IF? 2 to 4 times per week (total dose of 315 million units) between 13 and 33 weeks gestation. The patient delivered a normally formed healthy male infant, weighing 2,252 g at 37 weeks of gestation. The infant at 20-month-old exhibited normal growth and neurological development when last examined. Literatures were reviewed to determine the effects of IF? on the fetus. There have been 27 infants born to 26 mothers, including the present case, who were exposed to IF? in utero. Six women (23%) were administered IF? inadvertently during pregnancy. Four women (15%) gave birth prematurely. Although 6 infants (22%) were affected by intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), there were no IF?-related malformed infants. These results suggested that an inadvertent administration of IF? during pregnancy may occur, but in that case IF? may not induce congenital malformations. These findings may encourage such women to continue pregnancy.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 28, 09/2000
Pages: 372 - 376