Successful twin pregnancy after renal transplant maintained on cyclosporine A immunosuppression

Abstract

Cyclosporine A has recently been reported to be an effective immunosuppressant agent for use in renal allograft recipients. Questions have been raised regarding its effects during pregnancy, in light of an increased life span and return of fertility in renal transplant patients. A preterm delivery is reported in a cadaveric renal allograft recipient chronically immunosuppressed with cyclosporine A and methylprednisolone. Dizygotic twins were delivered at 35 weeks' gestation, weighing 2452 and 2386 g. Maternal cyclosporine A levels were determined weekly by whole blood radioimmunoassay, with little increase in requirement found before delivery. No indication of maternal renal compromise was apparent, as evidenced by stable weekly creatinine clearance studies. Cyclosporine A, at the doses used, was passed transplacentally, with cord blood values of 34 and 57% of the maternal cyclosporine A level found at delivery. No adverse effects were noted at birth in the average for gestational age neonates, nor at nine-month follow-up evaluation. Given careful monitoring, cyclosporine A may be an effective immunosuppressant agent for use in pregnancies complicated by renal transplantation.