wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/anzjog 1 © 2019 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
INTRODUCTION
Prolactinomas are a treatable cause of sub-fertility in women.
1-3
Approximately 5% of women with infertility have a prolactinoma,
2
typically presenting with anovulatory cycles.
4,5
Dopamine ago-
nist (DA) treatment reportedly restores ovulation in over 90%
of women with anovulation,
3,6
although macroprolactinomas
(>10 mm diameter) may require transphenoidal surgery or pro-
longed DA treatment.
7
The most recent guidelines
6
recommend that DA should be discon-
tinued once pregnancy is confrmed. Retrospective studies of short-
term DA exposure are reassuring, with no increase in the incidence
DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13070
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
An observational study of pregnancy and post-partum
outcomes in women with prolactinoma treated with
dopamine agonists
Susannah M. O'Sullivan
1,2
, Maritza T. Farrant
3
, Cara M. Ogilvie
2,3
, Alistair J.
Gunn
4,5
and Stella R. Milsom
2,3,6
Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2019; 1–7
1
Pharmacology, University of
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
2
Endocrinology, Fertility
Associates, Ascot Hospital, Auckland,
New Zealand
3
Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
National Women's Hospital, Auckland,
New Zealand
4
Physiology, University of Auckland,
Auckland, New Zealand
5
Paediatrics, University of Auckland,
Auckland, New Zealand
6
Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, University of Auckland,
Auckland, New Zealand
Correspondence: Dr Susannah
M. O'Sullivan, Endocrinology,
Fertility Associates, Private Bag
28910, Remuera, Auckland 1541.
Email: s.osullivan@auckland.ac.nz
Confict of Interest: The authors
declare that there is no confict
of interest.
Received: 9 May 2019;
Accepted: 19 August 2019
Background: In women with prolactinoma medical treatment with dopamine ago-
nists (DA) can restore fertility. A number of studies have established the safety of
DA during pregnancy and the impact of pregnancy and lactation on remission of
prolactinoma. However, the total number of reported cases remains modest and
further evidence is needed.
Aims: To evaluate the safety of DA during pregnancy and remission of prolacti-
noma after pregnancy and lactation.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective cohort study (2002–2014) of 57 pregnan-
cies in 47 women with prolactinoma who received DA. Neonatal and pregnancy
complications were recorded. Prolactin levels and treatment data were collected at
the time of diagnosis, pre-conception, during pregnancy and lactation, and post-
partum (up to 114 months).
Results: DA treatment was stopped a median of 4.5 weeks after conception in 49
pregnancies (86%). There were 49 live births (86% of pregnancies) and six miscar-
riages. Six pregnancies had an adverse neonatal outcome including two with con-
genital malformations. Following 26% of pregnancies women achieved remission
after birth or lactation, and 25% of women were in remission at last follow-up.
Remission was associated with older maternal age (P = 0.036), a lower prolactin
level at diagnosis (P = 0.037), and a smaller adenoma at diagnosis (P = 0.045).
Conclusions: Successful pregnancy and lactation is common after DA treatment
for prolactinoma. Fetal exposure in the frst four weeks of pregnancy appears to be
generally safe. Encouragingly, post-partum and after lactation a quarter of women
had a normal prolactin level without medical treatment.
KEYWORDS
bromocriptine, cabergoline, lactation, pregnancy, prolactinoma