Inflammatory bowel disease presenting in pregnancy

A case of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presenting in pregnancy is described. Despite previous reports of severe fulminating disease in this type of patient, this woman did well with an uncomplicated course; she responded to standard medical therapy and there were no fetal complications. IBD should not be a contraindication to pregnancy unless the disease is poorly controlled. Pregnancy does not increase the risk of relapse of IBD, but should this occur it is more likely in the first trimester or in the postpartum period. Treatment of IBD in pregnancy should be much the same as in the nonpregnant woman. Corticosteroids and sulphasalazine are safe in pregnancy and are the mainstays of medical treatment. Surgery should proceed for the usual indications of toxic megacolon and perforation. In the group requiring surgery fetal mortality is considerable but the maternal outcome is improving. Patients presenting with IBD in pregnancy may have more severe disease but recent reports suggest that the outcome for mother and infant in this group is improving.