News | Study: Pregnant Women with IBD and Their Fetuses Face Higher Complication Risks
Research shows that pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their fetuses face higher health risks than those without IBD, including gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and stillbirth.
A large University of Missouri School of Medicine study analyzed more than 8 million pregnancies from 2016 to 2018, including 14,129 women with IBD. The results confirm that IBD affects daily life and creates major challenges during pregnancy.
Multiple Pregnancy Risks Associated with IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both characterized by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. IBD has no cure and often relapses, creating additional pregnancy challenges for women of reproductive age.
Key findings included:
Higher rates of gestational diabetes
Higher risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia
Greater likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage
Higher rates of preterm birth
Higher risk of fetal growth restriction
Higher rates of stillbirth
Women with IBD also stayed in hospital an average of half a day longer after delivery, increasing healthcare burden and potentially affecting recovery.
Why Does IBD Increase Pregnancy Complications?
Chronic inflammation may affect maternal immunity, nutrient absorption, and placental function. Persistent inflammation may reduce placental blood supply and impair fetal growth. Some IBD medicines may also have potential fetal effects, making the balance between IBD treatment and pregnancy safety an important concern.
Expert Advice: Control IBD Before Pregnancy
Dr. Yezaz Ghouri, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and senior author, said the study highlights the importance of optimizing IBD management before conception.
"Our findings suggest that patients with moderate to severe IBD should receive specialist counseling and active treatment to achieve remission before considering pregnancy," Dr. Ghouri said.
The team recommends:
Consulting gastroenterology and obstetric specialists before conception to create a personalized pregnancy-management plan.
Controlling disease activity before pregnancy whenever possible to reduce risks to mother and baby.
Close monitoring during pregnancy to maintain maternal and fetal health.
Future Research
The team hopes to study how different IBD treatments affect pregnancy to support better decisions. The study also emphasizes nutrition during pregnancy, including adequate folate, iron, and vitamin D to support fetal development.
News | Study: Pregnant Women with IBD and Their Fetuses Face Higher Complication Risks
News | Study: Pregnant Women with IBD and Their Fetuses Face Higher Complication Risks
Research shows that pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their fetuses face higher health risks than those without IBD, including gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and stillbirth.
A large University of Missouri School of Medicine study analyzed more than 8 million pregnancies from 2016 to 2018, including 14,129 women with IBD. The results confirm that IBD affects daily life and creates major challenges during pregnancy.
Multiple Pregnancy Risks Associated with IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both characterized by chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. IBD has no cure and often relapses, creating additional pregnancy challenges for women of reproductive age.
Key findings included:
Higher rates of gestational diabetes
Higher risks of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia
Greater likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage
Higher rates of preterm birth
Higher risk of fetal growth restriction
Higher rates of stillbirth
Women with IBD also stayed in hospital an average of half a day longer after delivery, increasing healthcare burden and potentially affecting recovery.
Why Does IBD Increase Pregnancy Complications?
Chronic inflammation may affect maternal immunity, nutrient absorption, and placental function. Persistent inflammation may reduce placental blood supply and impair fetal growth. Some IBD medicines may also have potential fetal effects, making the balance between IBD treatment and pregnancy safety an important concern.
Expert Advice: Control IBD Before Pregnancy
Dr. Yezaz Ghouri, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and senior author, said the study highlights the importance of optimizing IBD management before conception.
"Our findings suggest that patients with moderate to severe IBD should receive specialist counseling and active treatment to achieve remission before considering pregnancy," Dr. Ghouri said.
The team recommends:
Consulting gastroenterology and obstetric specialists before conception to create a personalized pregnancy-management plan.
Controlling disease activity before pregnancy whenever possible to reduce risks to mother and baby.
Close monitoring during pregnancy to maintain maternal and fetal health.
Future Research
The team hopes to study how different IBD treatments affect pregnancy to support better decisions. The study also emphasizes nutrition during pregnancy, including adequate folate, iron, and vitamin D to support fetal development.
Source:
Collected online