Pregnancy and Money Laundering Risks: Identifying Factors and Solutions

Pregnancy and Money Laundering Risks: Identified Factors and Solutions

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a rare type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow and progresses into the blood. It is exceptionally uncommon during pregnancy, occurring in about 1 in 75,000 to 100,000 pregnancies.

The risks and treatment options vary by trimester. In the first trimester, AML treatment is urgent but challenging due to the high risks to the developing embryo. Treatment during this period may lead to pregnancy loss or severe fetal malformations. Pregnancy during the first trimester is often considered unlikely to be viable if chemotherapy is given due to these risks.

In the second trimester, treatment with chemotherapy can be considered with more caution. The benefits of treating the mother urgently are weighed carefully against potential fetal harm. During the third trimester, for pregnancies beyond 36 weeks, it is sometimes recommended to delay chemotherapy if possible to allow fetal maturity and reduce the risks of toxicity. When treatment is necessary between weeks 24–36, decisions depend on balancing maternal benefits and fetal risks.

Treatment for AML in pregnancy generally follows similar protocols as in non-pregnant patients but with modification to minimize fetal harm. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment, though specific timing and drug choices may be adjusted depending on gestational age.

It is not safe for people who are receiving chemotherapy to breastfeed a child, as chemotherapy drugs can enter breast milk and pass to the child.

Certain risk factors can increase a person's risk of developing AML, including smoking, age, certain blood disorders, genetic syndromes, chemotherapy treatment with alkylating drugs, exposure to certain chemicals, radiation exposure, family history of AML, and pregnancy itself.

The outlook for a pregnant person with AML can vary depending on various factors such as the trimester of pregnancy, extent of the AML, personal preferences and choices, age, and general health. The 5-year net survival for people with AML ages 15-44 years old is 62%, and for people ages 45-54 years old, it is 42%.

It is important to note that cancer is the second most common cause of death in pregnant people. Delaying chemotherapy treatment for AML during the first trimester can increase the risks of fetal death, pregnancy loss, and severe congenital anomalies in the fetus.

In some cases, exposure to chemotherapy in the second and third trimesters may lead to fetal health problems such as reduced fertility, intellectual impairment, restricted growth, and immunosuppression. If a pregnant person develops AML during the first trimester, a doctor may discuss options to terminate the pregnancy due to the potential risks to both the pregnant person and the fetus.

AML accounts for approximately 0.1% of all cancers. Although AML is the most common type of leukemia in adults and the most common leukemia affecting pregnant people, pregnant people are not at high risk of developing AML. It is unusual for a person to develop AML before the age of 45 years old.

Doctors do not generally recommend chemotherapy for people who are 35 weeks or more into pregnancy or within 3 weeks of delivery, as it may lower the blood cell counts of the pregnant person and fetus.

While AML in pregnant people is rare, and the survival and delivery rates of healthy newborns are not well-determined, it is crucial to address this condition promptly and carefully to ensure the best possible outcomes for both the mother and the child.