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Long-term Outcome of Children Born to Women with Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: A Multicentre, Nationwide Study on

Laura Andreoli1,2, Cecilia Nalli3, Maria Grazia Lazzaroni4,3

  • 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy. laura.andreoli@unibs.it.

Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
|March 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Women with rheumatic diseases (RD) had a low incidence of autoimmune diseases (AD) and neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) in their children. These findings suggest that reproductive concerns may not deter women with RD from having children.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Women with rheumatic diseases (RD) often face reproductive concerns, potentially leading to reduced family size.
  • Previous studies indicate an increased risk of autoimmune diseases (AD) and neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) in offspring of mothers with RD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term health outcomes of children born to women diagnosed with rheumatic diseases (RD) during their childbearing years.
  • To provide data for counseling women with RD regarding reproductive risks and offspring health.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide survey of 398 women diagnosed with RD before age 45.
  • Data collected from 230 women with children, detailing offspring health outcomes.
  • Analysis of diagnoses in 299 children, including autoimmune diseases (AD) and neurodevelopmental disorders (ND).

Main Results:

  • Twelve children (4.0%) were diagnosed with AD, primarily in offspring of mothers with connective tissue diseases (CTD).
  • Eleven children (3.6%) had a certified diagnosis of ND, with a majority born to mothers with CTD.
  • No significant association was found between ND and prenatal exposure to maternal autoantibodies or anti-rheumatic drugs.

Conclusions:

  • The absolute numbers of offspring affected by AD and ND were low in this cohort of Italian women with RD.
  • The findings suggest that the health outcomes of offspring may not be a significant deterrent for women with RD considering childbearing.
  • This data can aid in reproductive counseling for women with rheumatic diseases.

Keywords:
CounsellingNeurodevelopmental disordersOffspringReproductive issuesRheumatic diseases

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