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A Practical Approach to IBD Care in the Pregnant Patient

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (B Cohen, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

As the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) rises, gastroenterologists are more commonly facing management of the disease in women of childbearing age. This coincides with the development of new IBD therapies whose use in pregnancy must be considered.

Recent Findings

This review provides updated recommendations for newer biologic agents and small molecules that have been approved for IBD treatment since the previous guidelines were published. In addition, recent research has found that prior IBD-related surgeries, not just ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, can impact pregnancy outcomes. Reassuringly, assisted reproductive technology for IBD patients has been found to have similar success rates to the non-IBD population.

Summary

Ensuring disease remission prior to conception and throughout pregnancy is key for optimizing pregnancy and fetal outcomes. As gastroenterologists play an integral role in the management of IBD throughout the peripartum period, this review summarizes recent studies in combination with existing guidelines to address preconception counseling, medication safety, and management for quiescent and active disease throughout pregnancy.

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  1. Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, 40 Temple Street, Suite 1A, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA

    Laura C. Sahyoun & Jill K. J. Gaidos

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  1. Laura C. Sahyoun
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Correspondence to Jill K. J. Gaidos.

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Jill K. J. Gaidos: Speaker Bureau- AbbVie, consulting – AbbVie, Pfizer, BMS.

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Sahyoun, L.C., Gaidos, J.K.J. A Practical Approach to IBD Care in the Pregnant Patient. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 24, 201–209 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-022-00856-3

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