title: Immune system development in infants born to mothers with autoimmune disease, exposed in utero to immunosuppressive agents.
abstract: Exposure to immunosuppressant agents during gestation can affect the fetal immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune function of infants whose mothers were administered immunosuppressants during pregnancy for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Circulating lymphocyte subsets and in vitro immunoglobulin production were assessed at birth, and months 1, 6, and 12 of life in 19 infants exposed in utero to glucocorticoid alone or in combination with azathioprine, cyclosporine A, or hydroxychloroquine. The results were compared with those obtained in 15 age-matched infants from mothers with autoimmune diseases not exposed to immunosuppressants. No differences in terms of absolute lymphocyte count, percentage of B and T lymphocytes, and immunoglobulin production were observed. No immune system dysfunction was found in the two studied groups, suggesting a lack of interference between the immunosuppressive treatment and the immune systems of the offspring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology and NICU, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciardelli
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tincani
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasparoni
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lojacono
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chirico
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000097:blood; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine; D016572:Cyclosporine; D001379:Azathioprine