Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
Published on: January 5, 2017
[Pregnancy and inflammatory bowel disease: experience in 17 patients]
María Teresa Vergara A1, Paula Rey G
1Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital Naval A. Nef, Viña del Mar, Chile.
Background:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a peak incidence between 15 and 25 years of age, thereby affecting women of reproductive age. Fertility rates with inactive IBD are similar to the general population, and drugs currently used, with the exception of methotrexate and thalidomide, have a good safety and efficacy profile during pregnancy. Starting a pregnancy with inactive IBD significantly reduces the potential maternal and fetal complications.
Aim:
To assess the evolution of pregnancy and the underlying disease in women with IBD.
Patients And Methods:
Retrospective and prospective study of female patients with IBD controlled in our hospital who became pregnant from January 1994 to February, 2011.
Results:
We followed 17 patients with a total of 19 pregnancies. In two patients the onset of IBD occurred during pregnancy and from the remaining, 11 patients became pregnant during remission of IBD. Most of the patients continued the same treatment during pregnancy and the few flares that occurred were treated satisfactorily. Major complications occurred in three patients, all associated with IBD activity. Fifteen patients had full-term deliveries and the majority of the newborns had normal weight and Apgar score. None had malformations.
Conclusions:
Pregnancies among patients with an inactive IBD, have a good evolution. A multidisciplinary approach and patient education are invaluable to achieve these good results.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
01:30Inflammatory 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...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
01:30Inflammatory 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...