First Birth after Uterus Transplant in the US
Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
Meeting: 2018 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: 283
Keywords: Pregnancy, Quality of life
Session Information
Session Time: 2:30pm-4:00pm
Presentation Time: 2:54pm-3:06pm
Location: Room 303
Introduction – Uterus Transplantation (UTx) is the first available treatment for women with Absolute Uterine Infertility (AUI). It allows the affected female to carry her own pregnancy and deliver a baby. As the first center in the US we can report a delivery of a healthy baby.
Materials and Methods – Under IRB protocol, 10 women born without a uterus were enrolled for UTx following successfully stored fertilized embryos. Uteri from either a living (LD) or a deceased donor (DD) were transplanted. Following UTx, immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitor and azathioprine was given. Rejection was monitored by cervical biopsies. Embryo transfer was done after the initial healing period. Pregnancy was monitored by specialists in high-risk obstetrics. Delivery was performed as an elective caesarean section.
Results – To date, 8 women have received UTx (6 LDUTx, 2 DDUTx). The uterine grafts were transplanted with the uterine arteries and variances of the uterine veins or the utero-ovarian veins to the external iliac vessels of the recipients. Regular menses occurred within 4 weeks in 3 LDUTx and 1 DDUTx. There have been no significant donor or recipient complications or rejections. The first pregnancy recorded occurred following a successful single embryo transfer at 6 months post UTx. Fetal growth parameters and blood flows of the uterine arteries and umbilical cord were normal throughout pregnancy. At an elective caesarean section a male baby with a normal birthweight for gestational age and with APGAR scores of 8/9 was born.
Conclusions – As the first center in the US we can report a delivery of a healthy baby. With this birth it is shown that successful UTx can be reproducible and that UTx is a promising solution for thousands of women afflicted with AUI.
CITATION INFORMATION: Johannesson L., Gunby, Jr. R., Anthony T., McKenna G., Koon E., Warren A., dePrisco G., Mitchell J., Putman J., Wallis K., Klintmalm G., Testa G. First Birth after Uterus Transplant in the US Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Johannesson L, Gunby R, Anthony T, McKenna G, Koon E, Warren A, dePrisco G, Mitchell J, Putman J, Wallis K, Klintmalm G, Testa G. First Birth after Uterus Transplant in the US [abstract]. https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/first-birth-after-uterus-transplant-in-the-us/. Accessed November 23, 2024.« Back to 2018 American Transplant Congress