PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Felemban, Afaf A.
AU  - Rashidi, Zuha A.
AU  - Almatrafi, Musab H.
AU  - Alsahabi, Jawaher A.
TI  - Autoimmune hemolytic anemia and ovarian dermoid cysts in pregnancy
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2019.4.24l07
DP  - 2019 Apr 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 397--400
VI  - 40
IP  - 4
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/40/4/397.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/40/4/397.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2019 Apr 01; 40
AB  - Ovarian teratoma is a rare cause of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) by warm antibodies, resistant to corticosteroid therapy. This also implies that ovarian teratoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of AIHA, whether or not associated with pregnancy. We present a case of a primigravida who presented with ovarian dermoid cysts and AIHA at 24 weeks of gestation. The patient received corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab, and multiple blood transfusions, with no significant improvement. Hemoglobin levels returned to normal only after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by dermoid cyst is a rare condition especially in pregnancy. However, in light of similar case reports and review of the existing literature, we conclude that surgical excision should be considered when AIHA and ovarian teratoma coexist.