Managing pregnancy in inflammatory rheumatological diseases

Arthritis Res Ther. 2011 Feb 25;13(1):206. doi: 10.1186/ar3227.

Abstract

Historically, pregnancy in women with many inflammatory rheumatic diseases was not considered safe and was discouraged. Combined care allows these pregnancies to be managed optimally, with the majority of outcomes being favorable. Disease activity at the time of conception and anti-phospholipid antibodies are responsible for most complications. Disease flares, pre-eclampsia, and thrombosis are the main maternal complications, whereas fetal loss and intrauterine growth restriction are the main fetal complications. Antirheumatic drugs used during pregnancy and lactation to control disease activity are corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, sulphasalzine, and azathioprine. Vaginal delivery is possible in most circumstances, with cesarean section being reserved for complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / etiology
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Complications / immunology*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Rheumatic Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Rheumatic Diseases / immunology*

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents