Unexpected Pregnancy during Treatment of Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis

Several drugs used in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have been reported as teratogenic. Treatment of such cases during gestation is disputable. Some experts favor the termination of pregnancy, whereas others suggest reducing the dose of teratogenic drugs or even suspending the regimen during pregnancy. There have been no clinical trials on the subject, but case reports and case series show excellent outcomes for children exposed during pregnancy to second-line agents, indicating that aggressive management of gestational MDR-TB may benefit not only the mother but also the fetus. We present a case of pregnancy in a teenager while she was under treatment for MDR-TB and continued with full treatment and nevertheless delivered a healthy child.