|
|
Abstract
Pregnancy outcome in women exposed to efavirenz
E.C. Joao1, G.A. Calvet1, C.B. Cunha1, J.A. Menezes1, E.B. Martins1, A.F. Medeiros1, M.L.S. Cruz1, S.M.S. Silva2, M.M. D’Ippolito2
Background: An increasing number of women are becoming pregnant while taking regimens containing efavirenz (EFV) known to be teratogenic in cynomolgus monkeys exposed to the same dose recommended in humans. Also there are a few reports of neural-tube defects in human fetus. The objective of this study was to describe the pregnancy outcome of women exposed to EFV and to evaluate the presence of birth defects.
Methods: Data were abstracted from an observational cohort of HIV+ pregnant women who delivered at Hospital dos Servidores do Estado (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) from January 2001 to December 2004 with at least one prenatal visit and were taking EFV during conception. Duration of EFV exposure, pregnancy outcome, gestational age at delivery, birth weight and presence of birth defects were evaluated.
Results: From 442 HIV+ women evaluated, 20.4% became pregnant while taking any combination antiretroviral therapy (ARV). Exposure to EFV was reported in 23 women (25.6%) during conception. Median time of exposure was 15 weeks until interruption of the drug. Pregnancy outcome: 20 singleton live births; 1 set of twins; 2 pregnancies resulted in spontaneous abortions. Median gestational age at delivery was 39 weeks; mean birth weight was 2,895 ± 456.56 g. No birth defects were observed.
Conclusions: Pregnancy was not uncommon among women treated with EFV in a subset of the cohort. No congenital anomalies in newborn of women exposed to EFV during first trimester were observed but a cause-and-effect relationship between EFV exposure and the spontaneous abortions cannot be excluded. Women should be continuously advised to shift to an alternative ARV before pregnancy or to use at least two contraceptive methods to avoid accidental exposure to EFV.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDB0698
Suggested Citation
"E.C.Joao, et al.
Pregnancy outcome in women exposed to efavirenz.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDB0698"
|
|
|