Treatment of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis in pregnancy: Patient and physician perspectives

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder of bile acid synthesis that presents with varied and progressive symptomology. Early treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) improves symptoms and slows degeneration. Patients with CTX are commonly recommended to discontinue CDCA treatment during pregnancy because of theoretical risks to the fetus, but patient and clinician concerns about the risks of stopping treatment cause uncertainty. Herein, we report the experiences and perspectives of two women with CTX from the time of diagnosis through pregnancy, as well as decisions regarding CDCA treatment during pregnancy. Before becoming pregnant, both women were concerned about potential risks to their newborns if they continued or stopped CDCA treatment during pregnancy. Reassurance from their CTX specialist was the primary factor in their decision to continue treatment during pregnancy. After pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, one gave birth to a healthy infant and the other gave birth to an infant later diagnosed with periventricular leukomalacia. Neither experienced CDCA-related complications.