Abstract
Pregnancy and lactation in patients with pre-existing rheumatic disease may carry risk for the patients. Pregnancy has a huge impact on the musculoskeletal system and internal organs.
Certain rheumatic diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis) are normally not affected negatively by pregnancy. Other diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus may aggravate the course of the disease, with a tendency for more frequent flares of the disease and increased complications in the pregnancy.
Drugs used in rheumatology appear to be at higher risk for the mother and foetus. The use of biologic agents becomes more common in these patients including pregnant women.
At present use of biological agents throughout pregnancy in patients with severe disease is reserved to those that do not respond to immunosuppressive antirheumatic treatment. Specifically, the use of biological agents is advocated in diseases not properly treated according to the maternal or foetal compromise expected.