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Pregnancy and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: 2022 recommendations from the French Multiple Sclerosis
Sandra Vukusic1, Romain Marignier2, Jonathan Ciron3
1Service de Neurologie, Sclérose en Plaques, Pathologies de la Myéline et Neuro-Inflammation, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Bron, France/INSERM 1028 et CNRS UMR 5292, Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques, Centre de Recherche en Neurosciences de Lyon, Lyon, France/Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France/Eugène Devic EDMUS Foundation against Multiple Sclerosis, State-Approved Foundation, Bron, France.
Background:
In 2020, the French Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society (SFSEP) decided to develop a national evidence-based consensus on pregnancy in MS. As neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) shares a series of commonalities with MS, but also some significant differences, specific recommendations had to be developed.
Objectives:
To establish recommendations on pregnancy in women with NMOSD.
Methods:
The French Group for Recommendations in Multiple Sclerosis (France4MS) reviewed PubMed and universities databases (January 1975 through June 2021). The RAND/UCLA appropriateness method, which was developed to synthesise the scientific literature and expert opinions on health care topics, was used to reach a formal agreement. Fifty-six MS experts worked on the full-text review and initial wording of recommendations. A sub-group of nine NMOSD experts was dedicated to analysing available data on NMOSD. A group of 62 multidisciplinary healthcare specialists validated the final proposal of summarised evidence.
Results:
A strong agreement was reached for all 66 proposed recommendations. They cover diverse topics, such as pregnancy planning, follow-up during pregnancy and postpartum, delivery routes, loco-regional analgesia or anaesthesia, prevention of postpartum relapses, breastfeeding, vaccinations, reproductive assistance, management of relapses, and disease-modifying treatments.
Conclusion:
Physicians and patients should be aware of the new and specific evidence-based recommendations of the French MS Society for pregnancy in women with NMOSD. They should help harmonise counselling and treatment practise, allowing for better individualised choices.
