Comment on "Pregnancy after liver transplantation under tacrolimus" by Jain et al

Absence of teratogenicity of oral ganciclovir used during early pregnancy in a liver transplant recipient

BACKGROUND

Ganciclovir (GCV) is effective for prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease. In animals it may cause some teratogenicity. There is little information on the effect of GCV on a human fetus.

METHODS

The chart of a liver transplant recipient who received oral GCV during the first trimester was reviewed as was the published literature.

RESULTS

There was no evidence of teratogenicity in the baby or in a case reported elsewhere.

CONCLUSIONS

GCV has been used in a few female transplant recipients without untoward effects. The still uncertain risk of short term and long term teratogenicity, however, must be weighed against the risk of CMV disease in the recipient and the development of congenital CMV in the baby.