Evaluation of effect of somatostatin analogs on pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

Relevance. Somatostatin analogues (SSA) are a group of drugs that suppress the secretion of growth hormone, both pathologically increased and caused by arginine, exercise and insulin hypoglycemia. In addition, the drug can suppress the secretion of insulin, glucagon, gastrin, serotonin, thyrotropin. Currently, there is limited evidence that the use of SSA affects fertility. In this regard, the doctor may be faced with the issue of the patient’s reproductive function against the background of systemic use of SSA.Target. The solution to this issue involves a thorough study of the effect of this group of drugs on the health of the mother and fetus. It is also extremely important to understand whether there is the safest ‘therapeutic window’ for the introduction of SSA. The article systematizes information on the use of ASS in pregnant women and against the background of lactation.Materials and methods. The article analyzes the works of N. S. Baksheeva, L. K. Kuritsyna, E. G. Ivashkin, studies on the evaluation of reproductive function in animals, as well as clinical observations of patients are presented.Results. The article concludes that an increase in serotonin during pregnancy, which may be associated with a break in therapy with somatostatin analogues, may lead to an increased risk of developing «carcinoid heart», and may also cause a decrease in anxiety reactions in offspring. Based on clinical observations of patients diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor of the stomach, it is suggested that the introduction of somatostatin analogues at an early stage of pregnancy can provoke spontaneous abortion.Conclusions. The question of the use of SSA during pregnancy remains open and requires further observation, but based on the studies already known to us, it can be assumed that there is enough data (on a limited number of patients) indicating the absence of undesirable effects of SSA on the course of pregnancy or the health of the fetus /newborn.