Pregnancy in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Amenorrhoea in Cystic Fibrosis

“…There is no firm evidence, however, that fertility in those patients with regular menstrual cycles is impaired and six patients in our study had been pregnant. Pregnancy in all but the fittest patients with CF may carry a poor prognosis in terms of maternal health (Palmer et al, 1983) and, as we noted, infant birth weight is often reduced so that loss of cyclical ovarian activity in thin women with C F is certainly appropriate. However, the psychological consequences of delay in puberty and amenorrhoea are important.…”

Nutrition for Pregnant Women Who Have Cystic Fibrosis

“…In 1966, Grand et al evaluated information available for 10 women who became pregnant and concluded that substantive factors to consider during pregnancy should include the following: (1) comprehensive prenatal evaluation and therapy, including cor pulmonale; (2) careful management of electrolytes; (3) optimal nutrition and enzyme therapy; (4) diagnosis of maternal diabetes, proper labor management, and care of the newborn; and (5) assessment of the infant for CF [5]. Four had diabetes either before their pregnancy or developed it during pregnancy [7]. Between conception and 6 months postpartum, there were 10 maternal deaths and significantly increased morbidity, with 60% of the women experiencing pulmonary symptomatology and an increase of 14% for cor pulmonale [6].…”

“…Early reports of pregnancy described poor outcomes for both the women and their babies [4][5][6][7]. The majority of women in the studies with good outcome were PS, with optimal weight and pulmonary function before conception [8,9].…”

Pregnancy in women with cystic fibrosis

“…Some recent British data showed that if before pregnancy a woman's forced expiratory volume in one second was less than 60% of the predicted value there was a substantial risk of premature delivery, an increased rate of caesarean section, some loss of lung function, and a risk of respiratory complications and early death of the mother 5. Other studies have confirmed that women with impaired lung function, decreased body weight, and complications such as cor pulmonale and diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of prematurity, fetal complications, and maternal morbidity 2 3 4…”

“…The patient died six weeks after delivery, and the authors concluded that “cystic fibrosis is seriously complicated by pregnancy.” Since then reports have documented a gradual change from high fetal loss and maternal death due to cor pulmonale and respiratory failure to a good chance of a successful full term delivery of healthy infants to mothers whose overall health may be little changed 2 3 4 5. Sadly, this outcome is not available to patients whose health is poor or to those few women who have been sterilised or warned not to conceive.…”