Inflammatory bowel disease in pregnancy

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with its two main forms, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It is frequently diagnosed during childbearing years and its overlapping with pregnancy adds more complexity to the management of the disease. This review article aims to summarize what is acknowledged so far regarding IBD in pregnancy, providing up-to-date information. A systematic literature electronic search for journal articles and guidelines regarding IBD during pregnancy was undertaken. The most favorable pregnancy outcomes for pregnant women with IBD occur when the disease is in remission both at the time of conception and during the pregnancy. Most of IBD medication is considered safe during pregnancy and continuing therapy in pregnancy is fundamental for achieving optimal outcomes. Proper management of active IBD in pregnancy requires multidisciplinary care to lower adverse outcomes. There is insufficient knowledge among patients regarding how their pregnancy outcomes could be optimized.