The leukaemia in pregnancy study, a national multicentre retrospective study of pregnancy outcomes in women with concurrent or historic diagnoses of acute leukaemia

The leukaemia in pregnancy study was a multicentre retrospective study of pregnancy outcomes of women with concurrent (CAL) or previous (PAL) acute leukaemia. Cases were identified from eight hospitals. Of 39 screened cases, 12 CAL and 21 PAL cases were described, with one belonging to both groups. In the CAL cohort, there were 12 pregnancies with 10 infants delivered, one induced abortion and one unknown outcome. Six of 10 CAL women delivered prior to chemotherapy, two received chemotherapy both antenatally and postnatally, and in two, information was not available. All 10 infants were alive 28 days post-delivery. In the PAL group, 25 pregnancies were identified with 23 deliveries (two with twins), one miscarriage and one with unknown outcomes. Pregnancy complications were reported in four women. Twenty-four of 25 infants were alive 28 days after delivery with one unknown status. Acute leukaemia diagnosed during pregnancy was generally managed with expedited delivery. Neonates born to women with CAL had low birthweights and were premature. Most PAL neonates were born with a normal birthweight and no obstetric complications. For PAL, pregnancy outcomes are comparable to those of the general population.