A large, population-based cohort study found no increase in adverse neonatal and delivery outcomes.
Studies of pregnancy outcomes in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been limited and have had inconsistent results. Aiming to provide more-reliable data, investigators in British Columbia used a perinatal registry that included >99% of births in the region during an 11-year period. They cross-referenced these data by personal health number to an MS registry that included 80% of the region's MS patients. Each MS birth was compared with several demographically matched control births. Detailed information about demographics, obstetrical history, and medical conditions ensured that potential confounders were minimized.
A total of 432 births to 321 women with MS were included, along with 2975 births to 2958 women without MS. Maternal MS was not statistically associated with gestational age, birth weight, forceps- or vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery, caesarean section, or Apgar scores.
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardAlexion Pharmaceuticals; Amgen; Astoria; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celltrion; Genentech; Hoffmann-La Roche; Genzyme; EMD Serono; Immpact-Bio; Immunic Therapeutics; Kyverna; Lundbeck; Novartis; Sandoz; TG Therapeutics
Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; U.S. Department of Defense
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (Treasurer)
Citation(s):
van der Kop ML et al. Neonatal and delivery outcomes in women with multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2011 Jul; 70:41.
Comment
Women of childbearing age with MS often ask whether pregnancy is medically advised. The neurologist typically focuses on the mother's health in explaining the risks and benefits of stopping MS medication, advising on whether to breast-feed, and discussing when to restart therapy after delivery. However, these women are also interested in what will happen to their babies. Until now, we lacked data on this important question. We can now reassure women with MS about the delivery and immediate perinatal outcome. As currently managed, MS is not associated with an increased likelihood of a premature delivery, delivery complications, or lower birth weight and does not affect short-term neonatal outcomes.