A Case of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria; Successful Gestation and Labor

Abstract

A 28-year-old, married woman admitted because of severe anemia. She had passed dark urine twice since about a year. Sugar-water test and Ham's test were positive, and a diagnosed of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) was made and she was 16-weeks pregnant.
Washed red cells transfusions were repeated to keep Hb concentration of 7 g/dl or more. Outcome was successful gestation and labor, although edema was observed in the last trimester.
Pregnancy in the patients with PNH is rare and some accidents may occur during the period of pregnancy as well as in the puerperium. The decision to continue the pregnancy or not in such patients must be done carefully according to the severity of the disease in each case.