Cushing's syndrome during pregnancy.

Two cases of Cushing's syndrome during pregnancy are reported, both due to an adrenal adenoma. The association of pregnancy and Cushing's syndrome has up to now been described in 48 patients (including our two cases); Cushing's syndrome was ACTH-independent in 59%, ACTH-dependent in 33%, and of unknown cause in 8%. The obvious preponderance of ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy--in contrast to the higher prevalence of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome in the nonpregnant state--is unexplained, but might be related to less severe hypercortisolism in patients with adrenal adenoma. Active treatment of Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy is associated with a slightly but not significantly better outcome of pregnancy.