Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy during pregnancy.
More than 6000 pregnant women each year have an indication that warrants a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. In addition to the potential complications inherent in the risk of sedation and the procedures themselves, the endoscopist who performs these procedures in pregnant women must be aware of the potential to do harm to the fetus. This article reviews the existing literature as it pertains to flexible sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies performed during pregnancy, including indications and diagnostic usefulness, safety, use of medications, and therapeutic interventions.
Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. uzma.siddiqui@yale.edu
Uzma
U
Siddiqui
Deborah
D
Denise Proctor
D003113:Colonoscopy; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy