Administration of cyclophosphamide during late pregnancy and early lactation: a case report

J Natl Med Assoc. 1979 Feb;71(2):165-6.

Abstract

Burkitt lymphoma was diagnosed in a patient during the third trimester of pregnancy. Treatment with a low-dose, seven-day course of intravenous cyclophosphamide gave a good response which permitted the pregnancy to be carried to term, with delivery of a normal infant. When the mother received cyclophosphamide during lactation while the baby was breast-fed, the infant's leukocyte and platelet counts were rapidly depressed. Results in this patient and a survey of reported cases in which cyclophosphamide was administered during pregnancy and lactation lead to the conclusions that (1) low-dose intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy is not hazardous to the fetus during late pregnancy; (2) mammary concentration of the drug is too toxic to the infant's bone marrow; and (3) breast-feeding the baby should be suspended during the period the mother is receiving cyclophosphamide treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Burkitt Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lactation / drug effects*
  • Leukocytes / drug effects
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide