Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease during early pregnancy

• Published in: The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research Vol. 50; no. 6; pp. 1056 - 1060
• Main Authors: Ichikawa, Go, Negishi, Yasuyuki, Chishima, Fumihisa, Suzuki, Shunji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kyoto, Japan John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 01-06-2024; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biopsy; Case reports; Differential diagnosis; Epstein-Barr virus; Fever; histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis; Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease; Liver; Lymphadenitis; Lymphadenopathy; Pancytopenia; Pharynx; Prednisolone; pregnancy; Pregnancy complications; histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis; Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease; pregnancy
• ISSN: 1341-8076; 1447-0756
• DOI: 10.1111/jog.15928

Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease (KFD) is rare during pregnancy. It is characterized by necrotizing lymphadenitis and often occurs in young Asian women. We report a case of KFD during pregnancy, which was difficult to diagnose. A 37‐year‐old pregnant female (gestational week [GW] 7+5) was admitted to our hospital because of hyperemesis gravidarum. On the eighth day of hospitalization (GW 8+6), she suddenly developed a fever (38.0°C) with skin rash and posterior pharynx redness. Blood tests showed pancytopenia and abnormal liver function. The patient was misdiagnosed with severe Epstein–Barr virus infection and administered with prednisolone. Subsequently, cervical lymphadenopathy was observed, and biopsy results led to the diagnosis of KFD. Thereafter, her symptoms improved, and she was discharged at GW 13+4. KFD must be included as a differential diagnosis for patients with fever, abnormal liver function, and pancytopenia during pregnancy.