Related Experiment Videos
Pregnancy in Crohn's disease.
Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
|September 1, 1984
Summary
Pregnancy in women with Crohn's disease (CD) is safe, with no increased risk of disease flare-ups. However, active disease or bowel surgery during pregnancy increases risks for premature birth and miscarriage.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Pregnancy outcomes in women with CD require careful consideration due to potential disease activity and treatment implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the course and outcomes of pregnancies in women with Crohn's disease.
- To identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in this population.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study over 13 years.
- Involved 68 women with Crohn's disease and 109 pregnancies.
- Compared outcomes with a reference population and women with ulcerative colitis.
Main Results:
- No increased risk of Crohn's disease exacerbation during pregnancy.
- Increased risk of premature delivery and spontaneous abortion, primarily in women with active disease at conception or who underwent bowel resection during pregnancy.
- No congenital malformations or increased neonatal hyperbilirubinemia observed.
- Medications (sulphasalazine, corticosteroids) did not negatively impact pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy in women with Crohn's disease generally has favorable outcomes.
- Active disease or bowel surgery during pregnancy are significant risk factors.
- Women with Crohn's disease should preferably conceive during remission.
- Close obstetrical monitoring is recommended for high-risk pregnancies.