Anemia treatment with darbepoetin alpha in pregnant female with chronic renal failure: report of two cases.

Abstract

Pregnancy is a rare finding in females with CRF. It is well known that in these cases pregnancy worsens the renal function and accelerates the beginning of dialysis therapy. Pregnancies in uremic females are complicated by a worsening of anemia as well as hypertension, fluid imbalance, electrolyte difficulties, malnutrition, polyhydramnios and preterm labor or sudden intrauterine death. The use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) allows a better hematocrit control. Data concerning anemia treatment in pregnants with CRF and data regarding the use of ESA in these patients is scarce. We report two cases of anemia treatment with darbepoetin alpha in pregnant women with CRF in predialysis period and during the hemodialysis therapy. Both patients during the darbepoetin treatment did not require any blood transfusions and at 32nd and 37th weeks of pregnancy delivered healthy infants. The high darbepoetin doses did not cause any side effects, were well tolerated and safe for both gravida and fetus. The effective anemia treatment in pregnants with CRF improves the prognosis for a successful pregnancy.