Sekiguchi M, et al. - This trial incorporated an inspection of the outcomes of pregnancies among female childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) in Japan. The intention was to encourage greater attention to the reproductive health of CCSs. Findings revealed a small number of deliveries of CCSs in Japan. However, the pregnancy outcomes were favorable. Significant aspects for the management of pregnancies in CCSs were preterm delivery due to obstetrical complications, especially in CCSs with radiotherapy, and epilepsy serving as the maternal complications that were suspected to be associated with previously received treatments.

Methods

• The scheme of this research was a retrospective nationwide survey.
• It was carried out using a questionnaire on deliveries at ≥22 weeks of gestation in CCSs at perinatal centers registered with the Japanese Perinatologists Association between 2010 and 2014.
• Herein, a scrutiny was conducted of the maternal characteristics, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes and the connection between cancer treatments and these outcomes.

Results

• Data revealed that the total number of CCSs was 61, and the total number of deliveries was 71, corresponding to 0.019% of total deliveries.
• Leukemia was reported in 46% of the cases, with regard to cancer.
• Seven cases (11%) presented with epilepsy.
• As per the results, the mean gestational age at delivery was 37.9 weeks.
• The rate of preterm delivery was 24%.
• The mean birth weight was disclosed to be 2,718 g.
• A total of 3 congenital anomalies (4.2%) were found.
• Findings illustrated higher rate of preterm delivery and the mean birth weight appeared to be lighter in women treated with radiotherapy than in those without radiotherapy (42% vs. 16%, P=0.025; 2,436 ± 737 g vs. 2,827 ± 483 g, P=0.010).
• Researchers determined that the adjusted odds ratio of radiotherapy for preterm deliveries was 3.53 (P=0.049).