Surveillance of myeloproliferative disorders in pregnancy

Summary

Myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) are rare and generally indolent haematological cancers. Many patients are likely to be diagnosed prior to, or during, pregnancy using well defined diagnostic criteria (eg WHO). However many MPD patients also have a 'prodromal' period preceding diagnosis where symptoms and abnormal blood counts are present but the MPD is undiagnosed. Each sub-type of MPD differs slightly with respect to laboratory and clinical features, likelihood of complications and prognosis. Many of the reports on pregnancy outcome represent the experience of single specialist institutions, and are therefore likely to be biased. MPDs in pregnancy are thus under-researched, our understanding of them is poor and any interventions used in current clinical practice are rarely based on robust evidence. By prospectively collecting data on known and occult MPDs in pregnancy using the UK Obstetric Surveillance System this study aimed to provide valuable information about the epidemiology and complications of MPD in pregnancy with a minimal risk of significant bias.Analysis is currently underway.