Pregnancy after liver transplantation: Report of 8 new cases and review of the literature

Improved survival and quality of life following liver transplantation are associated with an increased frequency of pregnancies in liver-transplanted women. We investigated the outcome, complications, and management of those pregnancies. We have reviewed the literature and report 8 pregnancies in 6 transplant recipients. Seven pregnancies were completed at 38+/-2 (mean+/-standard deviation) weeks. One miscarriage occurred at week 12. Newborns' weight averaged 2938+/-156 g. Main complications were preeclampsia (n=1) and reversible cholestasis (n=1). Among 285 pregnancies reported in literature, 78+/-20% were successful and the main complications were: preeclampsia (26+/-19%), hypertension (28+/-19%), reversible liver dysfunction (27+/-21%), cesarean delivery (23+/-10%), preterm birth (31+/-28%), small for gestational age infants (23+/-10%), rejection (10+/-7%). Gestational weeks were 36.7+/-1.3, perinatal mortality was 4+/-10%, malformation rate 3%. The rates of both abortions and complications (preeclampsia and/or hypertension) were inversely related to the time interval between transplantation and conception (p