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Multiple Sclerosis pp 145–159Cite as

Pregnancy and Multiple Sclerosis

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Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

Abstract

Numerous autoimmune diseases affect women during their reproductive years, including multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, and Sjögren’s syndrome (1–3). Most autoimmune diseases become clinically silent or are pushed into so-called “remission” during pregnancy (4). Pregnancy poses a challenge for the immune system because the fetus is essentially an allograft harboring antigens from the father. In response, pregnancy induces immune deviation in the mother, protective to the fetus, and, at the same time, alters autoimmune responses to the benefit of the pregnant woman. Studies examining disease course support the protective effect of pregnancy in the context of autoimmune diseases.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI

    Christina Caon MSN, RN

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  1. Christina Caon MSN, RN
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA

    Michael J. Olek DO

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Caon, C. (2005). Pregnancy and Multiple Sclerosis. In: Olek, M.J. (eds) Multiple Sclerosis. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-855-2:145

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-855-2:145

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-033-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-855-7

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