Abstract
Purpose of Review: This article will review the current understanding of the immunologic changes that occur during pregnancy. It will discuss the impact of pregnancy on the disease activity of autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD). Lastly, it will highlight the most recent data on pre-conception and pregnancy management practices that can improve pregnancy outcomes in autoimmune patients. Recent Findings: Pregnancy is an immunologically complex and dynamic state that may affect the activity of AIRDs, with more patients having active disease during pregnancy than previously thought. Uncontrolled inflammatory diseases are associated with poor pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, small for gestational age infants, and prematurity. Pre-conception counseling and early pregnancy planning discussions can help ensure optimal disease control and medication management prior to attempting conception. Summary: Adequate control of AIRDs on pregnancy-compatible medications during the pre-conception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods is required for optimal pregnancy outcomes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 261-267 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Current Allergy and Asthma Reports |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2024 |
Keywords
- Contraception
- Pre-conception counseling
- Pregnancy
- Reproductive immunology
- Rheumatic diseases
- Women’s health
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine