Interferon β-1a therapy for multiple sclerosis during pregnancy: an unresolved issue.
On the basis of evidence from clinical trials, contraindications to the use of interferon (INF) are pregnancy, epilepsy and depression. Management of multiple sclerosis during pregnancy is a difficult issue because of pregnancy-related complications and fear of congenital anomalies due to exposure to disease-modifying therapy. In different series, INF therapy was withdrawn before or after variable periods of exposure. This case illustrates a 26-year-old woman diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis who was treated with a weekly regimen of intramuscular INF-β 1a (Avonex). She had received this treatment throughout her pregnancy without any further exacerbations of symptoms or any untoward pregnancy-related complications. In contrast to different series, our patient had the longest exposure to INF-β during pregnancy.
Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Aldrin Anthony Dung
AA
Dung
Akhila Kumar
AK
Panda
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a