Treatment of Pregnant women with VL

[Fred R. Opperdoes]

>     In Brazil we have few cases of adult VL, and fewer of VL in Pregnant
>     women.
>     Does anybody have experience with treating this fraction of the
>     population?
>     Are glucantime or pentostam abortive agents?
>     Are they toxic to the fetus?
>     In the first trimester?
>     What would be the best treatment for lactating mothers?
>     Since the Sbv passes in the milk, is it toxic to the baby,
>
>     Thanks for the suggestions.   jorge

>SBv will pass into the milk, but not in sufficient quantities to be toxic
>to the
>baby (TRSTMH 1989;83:784)
>
>                                                    Berman


Dear Jorge,
According to an official document by the WHO there is not very much known
about the toxicity of glucantime or pentostam for the fetus. However, the
official recommendation is to traet the mother anyhow, because the diseas
may be fatal to the mother if left  untreated.
Fred