Is It Safe To Have A Baby After Organ Transplant?

Women who have had organ transplants and are considering having a baby can turn to the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry to make an informed choice.

Newswise - Having a baby is a momentous occasion in a woman's life, but for women who've had organ transplants, deciding to have a baby can raise many important questions and concerns. Although these women may want to enjoy the maternal experience, they may be advised not to by their doctors. Transplant recipients can consult a national registry that is now available at Temple University Hospital to assist them in making this important decision.

Dr. Vincent T. Armenti, a kidney transplant surgeon at Temple University Hospital and School of Medicine, has combined training in teratology and his skills as a transplant surgeon to help establish the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR), the first national database to collect and report on pregnancy outcomes after organ transplant.

"This registry was developed as a means to follow women who have had organ transplants through their pregnancies and record their outcomes," Armenti explained. "It's a very useful resource that helps us inform organ recipients about any potential risks of birth defects, or other medical conditions that can occur."

So, given the potential risk, is it feasible or even smart for women to have children after transplant? Armenti responds with a resounding "yes." "Having a baby after transplant is a viable option since the patient is generally healthier after transplant," he said. "After transplant, the chance for a successful pregnancy increases."

However, knowing the potential risks is important. "With this database, we're analyzing pregnancy outcomes and looking for trends," Armenti explained. "So far, we do see a higher incidence of premature and lower birth weight babies, but it hasn't presented a problem with infant survival." He explained that the average length of pregnancy for kidney recipients is approximately 35 weeks and birth weights average five to six pounds. "We have not seen an increase in birth defects or malformations. Most recipients maintain stable organ transplant function."

"This registry helps people make the decision about having children after transplant and we want them to know that it's available to them," said Armenti. "We also want people to link organ donation, not only to helping people live, but to also helping them to have families," he added.

Developed in 1991, the NTPR database currently has 1,600 recipients and approximately 2,500 pregnancy outcomes. Reports from the registry have been published in several journals, including Clinical Transplants. The registry is co-sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Fujisawa Healthcare, Roche Laboratories, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. To access the registry, call (toll free) 1-877-955-NTPR, or e-mail NTPR.registry@temple.edu.

Copyright © 2004 Newswise.

This article posted April 9, 2004.