Abstract
Interferon alfa-2a is a cytokine produced by recombinant DNA techniques and has antiproliferative, antiviral and immunomodulating effects. A number of case reports in the past have suggested relative safety of alpha-interferons during pregnancy with little or no effect on the fetus. A 15-year-old adolescent became pregnant while receiving alpha-interferon for essential thrombocythemia. She delivered a small-for-gestational age baby girl at 33 weeks gestation. The infant displayed a facial rash characteristic of neonatal lupus and transient thrombocytopenia; maternal and neonatal serologies were typical for drug-induced lupus. These findings suggest probable association between maternal use of alpha interferon and adverse effects in the fetus.
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We would like to thank Dr Shalini Shenoy and Dr Bharti Razdan for their help in preparation of this manuscript.
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Fritz, M., Vats, K. & Goyal, R. Neonatal Lupus and IUGR Following Alpha-Interferon Therapy during Pregnancy. J Perinatol 25, 552–554 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211342
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211342
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