Effects of Treatment on Children

Source: Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment During Pregnancy (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.

Source updated: February 18, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.

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Context: Treatment of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma During Pregnancy

Evidence (treatment effect on children exposed in utero):

With follow-up ranging from several months to 11 years, children who were exposed to high-dose doxorubicin-containing combination chemotherapy in utero (especially during the second and third trimester) had normal growth and no evidence of congenital malformations.[4,7-9] For most of the chemotherapeutic agents used for the treatment of NHL, there are no data regarding long-term effects on children exposed in utero.

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In one anecdotal case, a newborn exposed to a rituximab-containing regimen in utero was born with no circulating B lymphocytes. The newborn was otherwise healthy and recovered the circulating B lymphocytes by age 6 months with no unusual or persisting intercurrent infections.[10]

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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice