Perceptions of Pregnancy and Lactation from the Pregnancy and Lactation Autoimmune Network Registry

Abstract

Objective: The Pregnancy and Lactation Autoimmune Network (PLAN) registry was established to evaluate the concerns of women with autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) pertaining to pregnancy and lactation.

Methods: The registry was started as a survey of patients with AIRD at a single rheumatology specialty center in November 2016 and included questions regarding fertility, pregnancy, miscarriages, and lactation before and after diagnosis.

Results: The study included 154 subjects from the PLAN registry. More than half (52%) of respondents indicated that their diagnosis negatively changed their views on pregnancy and nearly a third (30%) decided not to have children after AIRD diagnosis. Most (66%) women were concerned that medication use during the childbearing process would affect the baby. One-third (34%) indicated their views on breastfeeding negatively changed as a result of their disease diagnosis. The rates and duration of breastfeeding did not differ significantly for babies born before or after the mothers' diagnosis (p = 0.50 and p = 0.21, respectively). Eighteen women in our study avoided breastfeeding or stopped breastfeeding earlier than planned to start a medication (including etanercept, adalimumab, hydroxychloroquine, and certolizumab) they believed to be contraindicated during lactation. The PLAN registry included 19 women who breastfed 22 babies while being exposed to a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug or biologic. None of these 19 women reported a delay in their children's developmental milestones or higher infection rates.

Conclusion: This study highlights an unmet need in patients with AIRD of childbearing potential for data and education regarding pregnancy and lactation.

Keywords: LACTATION; PATIENT EDUCATION; PREGNANCY; RHEUMATIC DISEASES.