Abstract
Background & Aims
Robust evidence regarding the impact of disease activity on pregnancy outcomes in women with IBD is crucial for both clinicians and patients in preparing a birth plan. We sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the pooled influences of disease activity on pregnancy outcomes in women with IBD.
Methods
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE library to identify articles comparing pregnancy outcomes between active and inactive IBD at the time of conception or during pregnancy. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to pool estimates and report odds ratios (ORs).
Results
A total of 28 studies were identified as eligible for the meta-analysis. In women with active IBD, the pooled ORs for low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), spontaneous abortion, and stillbirths were 3.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.81-8.02), 2.42 (95% CI 1.74-3.35), 1.48 (95% CI 1.19-1.85), 1.87 (95% CI 1.17-3.0), and 2.27 (95% CI 1.03-5.04) compared to women with inactive IBD, respectively. In the subgroup analysis based on disease type, women with active ulcerative colitis had an increased risk of LBW, preterm birth, and spontaneous abortion. Women with active Crohn’s disease had a higher risk of preterm birth, SGA, and spontaneous abortion.
Conclusions
Active IBD during the periconception period and pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our data suggest that pregnancy should be planned when the disease is quiescent, and continuous disease control is important even during pregnancy.
Congenital anomalies in the offspring of occupationally exposed mothers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies using expert assessment for occupational exposures
