Prevalence of conception and pregnancy outcomes after hematopoietic cell transplantation: report from the Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Study

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2006 Jun;37(11):1023-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1705364.

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study to describe the magnitude of compromise in reproductive function and investigate pregnancy outcomes in 619 women and partners of men treated with autologous (n=241) or allogeneic (n=378) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) between 21 and 45 years of age, and surviving 2 or more years. Median age at HCT was 33.3 years and median time since HCT 7.7 years. Mailed questionnaires captured pregnancies and their outcomes (live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage). Thirty-four patients reported 54 pregnancies after HCT (26 males, 40 pregnancies; eight females, 14 pregnancies), of which 46 resulted in live births. Factors associated with reporting no conception included older age at HCT (> or =30 years: odds ratio (OR)=4.8), female sex (OR=3.0), and total body irradiation (OR=3.3). Prevalence of conception and pregnancy outcomes in HCT survivors were compared to those of 301 nearest-age siblings. Although the risk for not reporting a conception was significantly increased among HCT survivors (OR=36), survivors were not significantly more likely than siblings to report miscarriage or stillbirth (OR=0.7). Although prevalence of conception is diminished after HCT, if pregnancy does occur, outcome is likely to be favorable. Patients should be counseled prior to transplant regarding strategies to preserve fertility.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • California
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minnesota
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / etiology
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surveys and Questionnaires