Limited data exist on the clinical presentation of Muckle–Wells syndrome (MWS) during pregnancy. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the diagnosis of MWS in a pregnant woman. Many rheumatic diseases affect women of childbearing age, and their management during pregnancy can be challenging. Case A 33-year-old, 18-weeks’ pregnant woman was hospitalized for…
To correctly address a problem, one must have a handle on its nuances—a clear understanding of what is linked and how. And thus far, when it comes to lupus, we haven’t reached the point of understanding those intricacies. Things are heading in the right direction, however, with two new studies that get us much closer…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—A father’s exposure to methotrexate 90 days or less before conception “should not be of major concern,” researchers say. Prepregnancy paternal methotrexate exposure appears to confer no increased risk of major or minor congenital malformation, stillbirth or preterm birth in his offspring, their study found. Methotrexate is a first-line therapy for rheumatoid…
In a small-scale study, researchers found that no, or minimal amounts of, certolizumab pegol transfers from mothers taking the drug to nursing infants…
The decision to continue or discontinue immunomodulatory medications during pregnancy is a difficult one for both patients and physicians. On the one hand, when left untreated, rheumatic conditions can cause harm to an unborn child, as well as to the pregnant mother. On the other hand, medications can be harmful to a developing fetus. In…
The following summary regarding use of tacrolimus (TAC) in lupus nephritis highlights a number of debatable points. Although the role of TAC in lupus nephritis remains unproved for North American populations, it might be an excellent option in some clinical situations. These situations include lupus flare during pregnancy and also for lupus nephritis when the…
Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases are associated with increased rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction (FGR) and prematurity. In this study population, preclinical rheumatic disorders were associated with an increased risk of FGR, preeclampsia and small-for-gestational-age infants. The impact of these findings and their utility in screening for fetal growth restriction/preeclampsia need to be confirmed in population studies…
A recent review investigated risk factors for preeclampsia in early pregnancy, finding that antiphospholipid antibody syndrome may be the strongest risk factor. As a result of these findings, researchers have compiled a list of risk factors to help clinicians determine which women are more likely to develop the condition and aid them in weighing treatment options…
A recent study showed that, when administered during pregnancy, infliximab takes longer to clear an infant’s system than adalimumab…
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Bone resorption increases during pregnancy and continues to be high postpartum, according to new findings using lead testing to measure bone turnover. Researchers also found unexpected evidence that maternal lead burden is transferred to the fetus. “These data confirm calcium balance studies that indicate increased bone resorption throughout pregnancy and lactation,” Dr….