Background Lupus nephritis is a severe clinical entity that should be treated with cytotoxic drugs. Cyclophospamide is an effective cytotoxic agent against lupus nephritis. Cyclophosphamide is probably a potent teratogen. Severe birth defects reported in several cases after cyclophosphamide given as little as 200 mg during pregnancy. Some authorities, however, recommend the use of cyclophosphamide in life-threatening lupus during pregnancy.

Objectives In this report, we present two cases that used cyclophosphamide during unpredicted pregnancy.

Results Case-I: A 20-year-old female was diagnosed as SLE with arthritis, photosensitivity, haemolytic anaemia, leukopenia, proteinuria and positive antinuclear and anti-ds-DNA antibodies. Anti-phospholipid antibodies were negative. The disease remained under control with corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine and cyclophosphamide. In June 1999, it was noticed that she had been pregnant for 24 weeks and she had received five cycles of intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide (500 mg for each cycle, 2500 mg total dose). Until the end of pregnancy, the treatment was continued with corticosteroids. The baby is now 16 months-old and in good health.

Case-II: A 21-year-old female patient presented with arthritis, carditis, and proteinuria. She had positive antinuclear, anti-ds-DNA, and negative anti-phospholipid antibodies, and the diagnosis of SLE was made. She was treated with oral corticosteroids and intravenous cyclophosphamide. In September 1999, while she was in remission, it was noticed that she had been pregnant for 12 weeks. Since that time, she had been given intravenous 500 mg pulse cyclophosphamide twice (1000 mg totally). During pregnancy, only corticosteroids and salicylic acid were given. In March 2000, she delivered a healthy male baby. The baby is now 9 month old and healthy.

Conclusion Although fertility is decreased in SLE due to lupus nephritis and cyclophosphamide treatment, some pregnancies may occur. The pregnancies of SLE patients with anti-phospholipid syndrome have poorer prognosis. The absence of anticardiolipin antibodies in these two patients might have protected from poor outcome. Some authors believe that cyclophosphamide should not be used due to its teratogenic effect. Reported abnormalities due to cyclophosphamide during pregnancy include absent thumbs, absence of the great toes or all toes, palatal abnormalities, and a single coronary artery. However there are also reports of normal infants born from cyclophosphamide-treated mothers, and cyclophosphamide was proposed in life-threatening lupus. Experiences of cases like the present two may help the physician to make decisions on cyclophosphamide therapy during pregnancy in life-threating cases.