Pregnancy After Transplant? National Registry Helps Women Make Informed Choices.

Byline: Temple University Health Sciences

PHILADELPHIA, March 18 (AScribe Newswire) -- Having a baby is a momentous occasion in a woman's life, but for women who've had organ transplants, deciding to have a baby can raise many important questions and concerns. Although these women may want to enjoy the maternal experience, they may be advised not to by their doctors. Transplant recipients can consult a national registry that is now available at Temple University Hospital to assist them in making this important decision.

Dr. Vincent T. Armenti, a kidney transplant surgeon at Temple University Hospital and School of Medicine, has combined training in teratology and his skills as a transplant surgeon to help establish the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR), the first national database to collect and report on pregnancy outcomes after organ transplant.

"This registry was developed as a means to follow women who have had organ transplants through their pregnancies and record their outcomes," Armenti explained. "It's a very useful resource that helps us inform organ recipients about any potential risks of birth defects, or other medical conditions that can occur."

So, given the potential risk, is it feasible or even smart for women to have children after transplant? Armenti responds with a resounding "yes." "Having a baby after transplant is a viable option since ...