Search

Multiple sclerosis (MS) mainly affects women of fertile age. To date, the only recommendation for women with MS intending to become pregnant is to stop all treatment. This recommendation reflects the concerns about the effects of disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) on the offspring. The objective of the present study was to assess the potential long-term effects of maternal exposure to DMDs on the offspring. This was a retrospective study revising medical data on the offspring of women with MS. These women now have children aged at least 1 year and include a group of patients that were not exposed to any DMDs for at least 3 months prior to pregnancy and during the whole gestation (control group). Another group of patients had at least 2 weeks of exposure to DMDs, mainly to interferon beta or glatiramer acetate The women with MS participating in this study have children currently aged, on average, 6.6 years (range 1–39 years). There was no pattern of drug-related adverse events or complications in the children whose mothers were exposed to DMDs. No specific long-term adverse events were observed in the offspring of women with MS who were exposed to drugs during pregnancy. The profile of relevant diagnoses in their children was similar to that of children whose mothers had not been exposed to DMDs. The present retrospective study did not show a specific profile of long-term deleterious drug effects on children born from mothers who were exposed to drugs for MS treatment.

Glatiramer acetate is a US FDA category B drug with regard to use by pregnant women with multiple sclerosis (MS). There are no data currently available for the continuous use of glatiramer acetate during pregnancy.To assess the risks and benefits of glatiramer acetate used throughout pregnancy among women with active MS.Retrospective and multicentre case series.Outpatient services of academic and private institutions caring for patients with MS in Brazil.Eleven women with MS and their children were assessed.Retrospective evaluation of women with MS who received glatiramer acetate continuously for at least 7 months during pregnancy. This evaluation was performed by the neurologist responsible for the patient. Children aged 1 year and over, born to mothers who received glatiramer acetate during pregnancy, were assessed using the Denver II developmental screening test.Obstetric, neonatal and developmental outcomes.No drug-related obstetric complications were observed. No specific drug-related malformations, neonatal complications or developmental abnormalities were observed in the children. Postnatal MS relapse rates remained significantly lower than antenatal rates in these patients.No deleterious effects from glatiramer acetate were observed in these pregnant women with MS or in their offspring. No increment in postnatal relapse rate was observed. However, the use of glatiramer acetate during pregnancy should be restricted to the most difficult cases, in which the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.