If you are seeing this message, you may be experiencing temporary network problems. Please wait a few minutes and refresh the page. If the problem persists, you may wish to report it to your local Network Manager.
It is also possible that your web browser is not configured or not able to display style sheets. In this case, although the visual presentation will be degraded, the site should continue to be functional. We recommend using the latest version of Microsoft or Mozilla web browser to help minimise these problems.
Wiley InterScience | ||
  The American Journal of GastroenterologyVolume 101 Issue 6, Pages 1390 - 1392 Published Online: 28 Apr 2006 © 2008 American College of Gastroenterology/Blackwell Publishing Official publication of the American College of Gastroenterology
Abstract | References | Full Text: HTML, PDF (Size: 48K) | Related Articles | Citation Tracking  CASE REPORT Azathioprine Use During Pregnancy: Unexpected Intrauterine Exposure to Metabolites Copyright 2006 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology (Am J Gastroenterol 2006;101:1390–1392) ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: The use of azathioprine (AZA) in the treatment of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy are believed to be relatively safe, particularly taking into account the potential risks for mother and fetus should the underlying disease become active due to withdrawal of this thiopurine. However, essential evidence on the safety of AZA use during pregnancy is lacking. The determination of the intrauterine exposure to maternal AZA use may provide additional and crucial insights into the safety and teratogenicity of this drug. METHODS: We describe three patients with Crohn's disease and autoimmune hepatitis who were treated with AZA throughout all trimesters of their pregnancies. Thiopurine metabolites (6-thioguaninenucleotides (6-TGN) and 6-methylmercaptopurine (6-MMP)) were measured in the red blood cells (RBC) of mother and infant directly after delivery. RESULTS: The 6-TGN concentration was slightly lower in the RBC of the infant than the mother. No 6-MMP could be detected in the infant. CONCLUSION: The placenta forms a (relative) barrier to AZA and its metabolites. Intrauterine exposure to 6-TGN may be minimized by careful therapeutic drug monitoring of the mother during pregnancy. Received November 17, 2005; accepted December 12, 2005. |  |
