Leukemia in pregnancy and fetal response to multiagent chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: Leukemia is rare in pregnancy and treatment with intensive, multiagent chemotherapy produces complete remission in most adults, but might have deleterious effects on fetuses. CASE: A 24-year-old gravida 3 para 2 presented at 24 weeks with pruritus, rash, pancytopenia, and hepatitis. A bone marrow biopsy found acute lymphocytic leukemia. She completed three cycles of intensive multiagent chemotherapy with transient oligohydramnios in each cycle. Although there was decreased fetal growth rate, umbilical artery Doppler scans were normal. She delivered a normal 2150-g male infant at 36 weeks. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with newly diagnosed leukemia should not delay treatment, but multiagent chemotherapy might have transient effects on fetuses, most notably oligohydramnios. However, if fetal testing is normal, delivery might not be indicated.