Safety and use of IBD therapies during pregnancy and lactation

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) commonly affects young women and frequently overlaps with peak reproductive years. Despite this overlap, there remains limited data on the safety and efficacy of IBD treatments during pregnancy and lactation, and many gastroenterology trainees report limited exposure to managing pregnant patients with IBD. Optimal management of IBD in pregnancy ideally starts before conception, with a goal of at least 3 months of steroid-free remission. The preconception period is critical for patient education and therapeutic optimization for patients with IBD. Optimized management during pregnancy and lactation is necessary to prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

In this review, we discuss latest evidence on the safety and efficacy of available IBD therapies during conception, pregnancy, and lactation. Medications discussed include 5-aminosalicylates, biologic therapies, calcineurin inhibitors, Janus kinase inhibitors, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulators.

While most IBD therapies can be safely continued during pregnancy and lactation. Patient education during the preconception period is critical for maintenance of remission during pregnancy and postpartum. Evidence-based research and representation of pregnant patients with IBD in future studies are necessary to address existing knowledge gaps to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes.