Important Celebration for the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry 

The National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR) was established in 1991 at Thomas Jefferson University, by Vincent Armenti, MD, PhD and his colleagues, to study the outcomes of post-transplant pregnancies in female transplant recipients and those fathered by male transplant recipients. The NTPR was started based on the need to have up-to-date information regarding pregnancy post-transplantation for recipients and caretakers.                

Historically, on March 10, 1958, a brave woman who had a kidney transplant from her identical twin sister, gave birth to a son – the first known child born to a transplant recipient.   In the 50 years since then, thousands of women who received new organs have successfully given birth.  To recognize this historic moment, her son’s 50^th birthday, the NTPR held a reception on March 10, 2008 to celebrate this unique milestone.   During the party, an extraordinary and moving teleconference took place, with the pioneering recipient, her donor, her son and her Nobel Prize winning surgeon, Dr. Joseph Murray.   

Over the years, data from the NTPR have supported the conclusion that, when a recipient has stable transplant function, pregnancy in women with solid-organ transplants can be safe and successful, although it needs to be considered high-risk.  Issues that are not uncommon include an increase in the risk of developing preeclampsia and having a premature delivery (< 37 weeks gestation).   Some problems are specific depending upon the type of transplant.     

The NTPR provides an avenue for healthcare professionals and recipients to access information for guidance as they navigate through the complexities of pregnancy after transplantation.  The staff of the registry is finding that an increasing number of recipients are contacting them before attempting pregnancy.  Having a planned pregnancy after transplantation is especially important now that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has changed the pregnancy category of the immunosuppressive medications mycophenolate mofetil and mycophenolic acid from Category C to Category D.   

There are over 200 transplant centers that have contributed to the registry data. The NTPR is indebted to both the recipients and healthcare professionals across the country who have given their time and information to this important study.  The need to gather further information regarding pregnancy after transplantation remains.  All recipients and transplant centers are encouraged to participate in the NTPR. 

For further information, visit the NTPR website at www.jefferson.edu/ntpr, or contact the NTPR toll-free at 877-955-NTPR (6877) or by email at    

We are proud to announce that recently, Dr. Vincent Armenti, Principal Investigator of the NTPR, and one of his research coordinators, Lisa A. Coscia, RN, BSN, CCTC have joined PrometeoNetwork.