Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
Review article: Reproduction in the patient with inflammatory bowel disease
Z S Heetun1, C Byrnes, P Neary
1Department of Gastroenterology, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Trinity College, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland. heetunz@gmail.com
Background:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects mainly the young population. The effect of IBD and its treatment on fertility and pregnancy is therefore an important clinical consideration.
Aim:
To review the best management of IBD in the reproductive and pregnant population.
Methods:
A MEDLINE and an EMBASE search were performed using mainly the search phrases 'pregnancy AND IBD,''sulphasalazine AND male fertility,''abdominal surgery AND female fertility,''AZA AND placenta' and 'infliximab AND pregnancy.' No language or date restrictions were placed. References of review articles were examined.
Results:
Overall male and female fertility are not affected by IBD. Sulphasalzine reduces male fertility. No other drugs used in IBD affect significantly fertility in humans. The risk of pregnancy-related complications and the disease behaviour during pregnancy depends mainly on disease activity at time of conception. Proactive treatment for maintenance of disease remission during gestation is recommended. Except for methotrexate, drugs used in IBD appear safe in pregnancy. Breast feeding should be encouraged.
Conclusion:
The management of IBD in the young and pregnant population remains controversial because the literature comes mostly from retrospective studies. Further studies particularly large prospective trials are needed to guide clinicians in decision making.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

