Effects and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
I have several patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who are pregnant or planning pregnancies. What information can I give them regarding the possible effects of IBD on pregnancy and the medications used to treat IBD during pregnancy?


CONCLUSIONS
Women with IBD appear to be at increased risk of giving birth prematurely, having low-birth-weight infants, and having cesarean sections. Neither 5-aminosalicylic acid nor sulfasalazine has been found to increase the rate of major malformations, fetal mortality, or morbidity. There is conflicting evidence regarding the use of corticosteroids and azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine. There are limited data on the use of infliximab during pregnancy, although no pattern of defects or complications has been reported to date.
Brar
Harvinder
H
Einarson
Adrienne
A
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069285:Infliximab; D015122:Mercaptopurine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012306:Risk; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000009:adverse effects
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000636:Aminosalicylic Acids; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D000069285:Infliximab; D015122:Mercaptopurine; D001379:Azathioprine