PREGNANCY IN WILSONS DISEASE

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (181) , 73-83
Abstract
The effect of pregnancy was studied in 10 mothers with Wilson''s disease. Three were presymptomatic but had the typical biochemical lesion; 2 of these were receiving penicillamine treatment at the time of conception, and the 3rd had yet to be diagnosed. The remaining 7 mothers had had symptoms of Wilson''s disease and were receiving treatment for periods ranging from 2 1/2-19 yr. These 10 mothers had 15 pregnancies between them, 13 went to full term but 2 ended prematurely at 26 and 30 wk. In only 1 did pregnancy have an unfavorable effect on the Wilson''s disease; this mother was on penicillamine for only 2 1/2 yr in a suboptimal dose because of drug induced thrombocytopenia. In addition she had extensive esophageal varices and pregnancy was complicated by toxemia. The other 9 patients remained well and 2 had 3 pregnancies each. On 6 occasions penicillamine was taken throughout pregnancy, but in 7 it was discontinued from the 6th-12th wk. All 15 babies were normal but 1 died of extreme prematurity (26 wk gestation). Pregnancy does not appear to be contraindicated in well treated Wilson''s disease and penicillamine does not seem to pose an undue risk to the fetus.

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