SOMANZ Poster Presentation Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society and Society of Obstetric Medicine Australia and New Zealand Joint Scientific Meeting 2025

Tacrolimus Toxicity Versus Pre-Eclampsia in Pregnancy: a case report (#170)

Zoe Stewart-Field 1 , Michael Le 2 , Jennifer Yo 3 4 , Kirsten Palmer 1 2
  1. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
  2. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
  3. The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
  4. Nephrology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia

Tacrolimus is a common immunosuppression treatment used in pregnancy, typically in women with a solid organ transplant or autoimmune condition. These conditions put women at high risk of pre-eclampsia, however, accurate diagnosis of pre-eclampsia can be difficult to distinguish from tacrolimus toxicity and pre-existing medical comorbidities. Here we present the case of a pregnant women with IgA nephropathy and chronic hypertension, who was admitted at 25 weeks’ gestation with peripheral oedema, worsening hypertension, renal impairment, and thrombocytopaenia, representing a significant diagnostic challenge. The distinction between these conditions can be difficult, but is critical to appropriately target treatment, avoid iatrogenic harm from unnecessary pre-term delivery, and optimise maternal and neonatal outcomes.