| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Dermatomyositis is rare during pregnancy and, if untreated, is associated with poor fetal outcome. Corticosteroids are a standard treatment for dermatomyositis in pregnancy, but they have adverse effects. Intravenous immune globulin is an effective therapy for this condition and may have few adverse effects. CASE: A young, white primigravida presented with dermatomyositis at 4 5/7 weeks of gestation (creatine kinase 2,762 units/L). Intravenous immune globulin was administered monthly at a dose of 1 g/(kg.d) for 2 consecutive days. The patient's symptoms resolved and no complications were experienced during therapy. At term, creatine kinase was 29 units/L and a healthy 3,657.5-g (8-lb, 1-oz) neonate was born. CONCLUSION: Pregnant patients with dermatomyositis can be treated with intravenous immune globulin, resulting in good fetal outcome, thus avoiding the deleterious effects of corticosteroid therapy on pregnancy. |
| Authors | Lloyd Williams, Peter Y Chang, Ellen Park, Kenneth C Gorson, Lucy Bayer-Zwirello
(Affiliation: Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02135, USA.)
|
| Journal | Obstetrics and gynecology
(Obstet Gynecol)
Vol. 109
Issue 2 Pt2
Pg. 561-3
(Feb 2007)
ISSN: 0029-7844 United States |
| PMID | 17267895
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
|
| Chemical References |
- Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
- Creatine Kinase
|
| Topics |
- Adult
- Creatine Kinase
(blood)
- Dermatomyositis
(blood, diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Humans
- Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Infant, Newborn
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications
(blood, diagnosis, drug therapy, pathology)
- Pregnancy Trimester, First
- Prenatal Diagnosis
|
