✓ Autoimmune diseases and pregnancy: what is important to know if you want to become a mother

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Autoimmune Diseases and Pregnancy

Le autoimmune diseases are pathologies that induce a abnormal reaction of immune system, which attacks and destroys healthy tissues by mistakenly identifying them as foreign. An example is lupus erythematous systemic, anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, la celiac disease, thyroidi, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome and others: generally a woman who wishes become a mother and suffers from an autoimmune disease He can do it. However, the success of pregnancy depends on a few factors. What are they and what is important to know? Let's explore the topic with the teacher Nicoletta Di Simone at Humanity San Pio X.

Autoimmune diseases and pregnancy: how to behave

What should a woman with an autoimmune disease do? e des to become a mom?

"In view of a pregnancy, autoimmune disease must be considered by evaluating three aspects:

the effect of pregnancy on autoimmune disease;
the effect of autoimmune disease on pregnancy;
the effect of maternal illness on the child.

The woman suffering from an autoimmune disease can become a mother but an adequate one is necessary pre-gestational evaluation carried out by specialists in the sector. First the autoimmune disease must be in remission when trying to get pregnant. If the disease is active it can worsen rapidly during pregnancy causing obstetric fetal complications (from abortion to premature birth, to severe growth failure) and maternal organ problems (such as renal failure). Therefore it is important that the functional parameters of the various organs are within normal range. We also need to consider which one nucleoside is following the woman, because some drugs can be toxic for the embryo and therefore contraindicated in pregnancy. Modification of therapy must always be carried out before pregnancy "

Read also: More extensive neonatal screening

Possible obstetric complications

What obstetric complications can occur?

"The problems that can occur range fromabortion al premature birth, from a fetal development deficit to the preeclampsia (maternal hypertension accompanied by the presence of an excess of protein in the urine). The world of autoimmune diseases is extremely diverse, so we need to evaluate the single situation: Fortunately, the risks are sometimes minimal. For example, therheumatoid arthritis it does not involve particular problems for the woman during pregnancy. The lupus erythematosus, on the contrary, it can become complicated with maternal and / or fetal problems, resulting in very premature births and the impairment of maternal renal function. For this a woman suffering from this pathology must be constantly monitored carrying out regular gynecological and rheumatological checks ".

Read also: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Pregnancy

Postpartum management

How to deal with postpartum in these conditions?

"Post partum is a moment that must be followed with extreme attention. In fact frequently the pathology worsens following childbirth (cases range from 60 to 90 percent). So you absolutely must not interrupt the nucleoside, which may on the contrary also have to be modified, depending on the situation. L'nursing is allowed and advised in most cases and the drugs are compatible. However, the clinical condition of the woman must always be monitored ".

Read also: Hereditary diseases, what they are and when to do the genetic test

The interviewee

Nicoletta Di Simone is the head of the multidisciplinary Center of Obstetric Pathology at S. Pio X Humanitas Research Hopsital and Full Professor in Gynecology and Obstetrics at Humanitas University.

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