[Addison's disease in pregnancy: a report of six cases].

OBJECTIVE

To review six cases of pregnancy with Addison's disease at Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Shanghai Medical University from 1949 to 1994.

METHOD: This is a clinical retrospective analysis. Five of the 6 patients were treated with hormone replacement therapy, and the remaining one received no hormone treatment due to lack of symptoms during pregnancy and neglect of previous adrenal surgery by obstetricians.

RESULTS

The patient received no treatment occurred Addisonian crisis and died soon after delivery. The other five patients had smooth course of delivery and postpartum period.

CONCLUSIONS

Hormone replacement therapy is important for patients with Addison's disease in pregnancy especially for acute decompensation of adrenal function. Pregnant women with history of adrenal surgery should be monitored carefully even without any symptoms and hormone treatment is necessary. Vaginal delivery is encouraged unless there is obstetric indication.