Successful Subsequent Pregnancy in a Woman Receiving Eculizumab for Pregnancy-Associated Atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome

Case Rep Nephrol. 2019 Oct 7:2019:2738723. doi: 10.1155/2019/2738723. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) is a form of thrombotic microangiopathy precipitated by unopposed complement activation, the treatment of which has been revolutionised by the availability of the monoclonal anti-complement (C5) antibody, eculizumab. Historically, women with aHUS would be unable to achieve a successful pregnancy due to the severity of their renal disease and for the few who could conceive, recurrence of aHUS was a significant risk. In spite of this, parenthood remains a priority for many. Experience with eculizumab use in the management of aHUS during pregnancy is growing and with it comes a significant change in the course of the disease. We present the case of a 28-year-old woman diagnosed with severe aHUS in the first trimester of her first pregnancy. She received rescue therapy with eculizumab and had a return to normal renal function. While this pregnancy was lost, she strongly desired a family. We managed her through a subsequent pregnancy while receiving eculizumab. This pregnancy was uncomplicated and carried to term and she birthed a healthy 2500 g baby girl. The complexities of managing a pregnancy in a woman with a history of aHUS are vast but not insurmountable, as demonstrated by this case.

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  • Case Reports