Methotrexate (MTX) is a known teratogenic drug used off-label in the treatment of ectopic pregnancies (EP). As MTX polyglutamated derivatives remains into the cells during several weeks, it is recommended to avoid conception during 3 to 6 months following MTX therapy. We report the follow-up of pregnancies after preconceptional exposure to MTX for EP.

Prospective cases of pregnancy occurring within 3 months after MTX injection for an EP recorded in the Terappel database were analyzed.

Data were obtained on 52 pregnant women. The median age of patients was 28 (18–38), and the median gestational age at inclusion was 7 weeks after last menstrual period (3–22). The time between the last MTX injection and conception ranged from 12 days to 13 weeks and the total MTX dose was between 40 to 210mg. Out of 45 pregnancies with known outcome, there were 39 live births (87%), 3 spontaneous abortions (6.7%) occurring 63 to 94 days after MTX administration, 2 elective terminations, and 1 medical termination after premature rupture of membranes, oligohydramnios and arthrogryposis (48mg of MTX 9 and 8 weeks before conception). Two additional cases of major malformations were observed among 40 examinable babies or fetuses: tetralogy of Fallot (MTX 6 weeks before conception), and cerebral ventriculomegaly with normal karyotype (50mg of MTX 9 to 13 weeks before conception). The resulting rate of major malformations was 7.5% (95% CI: 1.6–20.4).

Although this prospective study shows a major malformation rate higher than expected in the general population, the observed malformations are not consistent with the typical pattern of methotrexate embryopathy. However, the case of tetralogy of Fallot is reminiscent of previously published cases with MTX exposure during early pregnancy. Owing to the small sample size, more powerful studies are needed to confirm or refute these findings.

Rapporter le suivi de grossesses débutées après administration hors autorisation de mise sur le marché (hors AMM) de méthotrexate (MTX) pour grossesse extra-utérine (GEU).

Analyse des suivis prospectifs de grossesses de la base TERAPPEL, débutées dans les 3 mois suivant l’exposition au MTX pour GEU.

Au total, 52 grossesses ayant débuté 2 à 13 semaines après administration du MTX (dose de 40 à 210mg) ont été analysées ; 45 ont une évolution connue (39 naissances, 3 fausses couches spontanées, 2 interruptions volontaires de grossesse, 1 interruption médicale de grossesse). Sur 40 nouveau-nés ou fœtus évaluables, 3 (7,5 % ; 95 % IC : 1,6–20,4) présentaient une malformation majeure : tétralogie de Fallot, arthrogrypose et ventriculomégalie cérébrale.

Notre étude montre un taux élevé de malformations majeures, mais notre effectif est faible et les malformations décrites ne sont pas pathognomoniques de l’embryopathie au MTX. Quelques cas de tétralogie de Fallot ont cependant été publiés avec exposition au MTX en tout début de grossesse.