The use of biologics for autoimmune rheumatic diseases in fertility and pregnancy.

ABSTRACT: In an age where autoimmune rheumatic diseases are successfully managed with biologics, their discontinuation in pregnancy is inadvisable without careful forethought; maternal disease activity is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, which has long-term implications for both mother and offspring. We aim to provide clinicians with the necessary tools to facilitate decision-making - when a biologic should be used, when it can be discontinued in pregnancy if appropriate. The pathophysiology of these biologic molecules and their effect on fertility, pregnancy and parturition are discussed. A summary of the 2016 international guidelines (European League Against Rheumatism and British Society in Rheumatology) on biologics in pregnancy has been tabulated; more recent publications are discuss

SUBMITTER: Soh MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7133102 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature