Pregnancy and breastfeeding in inflammatory bowel disease.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is frequent in women during their peak reproductive years. Accordingly, a significant number of questions and uncertainties arise from this population regarding the risk of transmission of IBD to the offspring, the impact of the disease and therapies on the fertility, the role of the disease on the course of the pregnancy and the mode of delivery, the impact of the therapy on the pregnancy and fetal development as well as breastfeeding. The safety of medical therapy during pregnancy and lactation is a major concern for both pregnant women and their partners as well as for physicians. As a general rule, it can be stated that the benefit of continuing medical therapy in IBD during pregnancy outweighs the potential risks in the vast majority of instances. This article will review recent developments on this topic consistent with the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization guidelines.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. luc.biedermann @ usz.ch
Luc
L
Biedermann
Gerhard
G
Rogler
Stephan R
SR
Vavricka
Frank
F
Seibold
Mariam
M
Seirafi
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003082:Colectomy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents