Inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy

Gut. 2003 Feb;52(2):159-61. doi: 10.1136/gut.52.2.159.

Abstract

Women and men with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently express concerns about fertility and pregnancy. The evidence suggests that women with IBD can expect to have a normal pregnancy outcome provided they have inactive disease. They have an increased risk of having a small or premature baby but the majority will have a normal outcome of pregnancy. The commonly used drugs appear to be safe and well tolerated in pregnancy. There remains a need for further studies in this area to help in the difficult decisions about the management of IBD around the time of conception and during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Aminosalicylic Acids / adverse effects
  • Azathioprine / adverse effects
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / drug therapy
  • Crohn Disease / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / etiology
  • Infertility, Male / chemically induced
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Methotrexate / adverse effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / chemically induced
  • Pregnancy Complications / etiology*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Steroids / adverse effects
  • Sulfasalazine / adverse effects

Substances

  • Aminosalicylic Acids
  • Steroids
  • Sulfasalazine
  • Azathioprine
  • Methotrexate