Neurofibromatosis in pregnancy maternal and perinatal outcome

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the maternal and perinatal o utcome in pregnant patients with neurofibromatosis (NF). Study design: Duri ng the period between January 1994 and December 1996 eight women with NF we re delivered at the Soroka University Medical Center. Maternal age, parity, gravidy and ethnic origin were matched with a control group that included 65 healthy parturients out of a total of 31 642 deliveries that occurred in our institution during this period. Maternal outcome and perinatal complic ations were compared between the two groups. Results: The prevalence of NF during the study period was 1:2434 deliveries. The mean gestational age at delivery was significantly lower in the study group as compared to the cont rol group, 36.8+/-3.3 vs. 39.2+/-1.5 weeks, respectively (P=0.029). The rat e of intrauterine growth restriction was significantly higher in the study group, (46.2% vs. 8.95%, respectively, P=0.0005), as well as stillbirth rat e (23% vs. 1.5%, respectively, P=0.011) and cesarean section rate (38.5% vs . 7.7%, respectively, P=0.01). Conclusion: Patients with NF have an increas ed risk of perinatal complications. Thus, close antenatal observation at hi gh risk ternary centers is required. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd All rights reserved.