%A Jie Zhao, Yimeng Yang, Shuhong Ming %T Pregnancy-Induced Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis: A Case Report and Literature Review %0 Journal Article %D 2020 %J Chinese Medical Sciences Journal %R 10.24920/003603 %P 371-376 %V 35 %N 4 %U {http://cmsj.cams.cn/CN/abstract/article_3167.shtml} %8 2020-12-31 %X

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare but devastating disease characterized by dysregulated immune response and hyperinflammation. To our knowledge, pregnancy-induced HLH has been rarely reported in the literature. A 30-year-old pregnant woman presented persistent fever for 21 days since 17 weeks of pregnancy. The possible etiologies such as infection, autoimmune disorder, and malignancy had been ruled out based on a series of exhaustive examinations. The disease progressed despite the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and dexamethasone. The patient was diagnosed as pregnancy-induced HLH, and finally recovered completely after termination of pregnancy by caesarean and the continuous use of glucocorticoid which played a crucial part in controlling hyperinflammation. Pregnancy-induced HLH could be fatal if effective treatment was not initiated timely. Further studies are needed to improve early diagnosis and etiology identification of HLH.