Inflammatory Bowel Disease Therapies Safe During Pregnancy

Available data suggest that anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti–TNF-α) agents are generally safe during pregnancy. Thiopurines are also considered safe by most experts, despite some study results that have indicated a slightly increased risk for birth defects. To investigate the maternal and neonatal safety of exposure to these drugs during pregnancy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), researchers in Spain conducted a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of 571 pregnancies in 421 women.

Exposure to the study medications during pregnancy or the 3 months before conception was categorized as nonexposed, exposed to thiopurines alone, or exposed to anti–TNF-α agents. The primary outcome was an unfavorable global pregnancy outcome…