A retrospective review of pregnancies on biologics for the treatment of dermatological conditions

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2020 Oct;45(7):880-883. doi: 10.1111/ced.14263. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Abstract

Psoriasis often first presents in young adulthood, with the average age of diagnosis in women being 28 years, thus in the prime reproductive years. In addition, approximately 50% of pregnancies worldwide are unplanned. Although biologic therapies have revolutionized the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis, there are no controlled studies of biologics in pregnant women. The increasing use of these agents in women of childbearing age highlights the need to further assess their safety during pregnancy. Postmarketing experience regarding the safety of these drugs is accumulating and being published, with largely reassuring results. We present our real-world experience of 17 pregnancies occurring in women on treatment with biologic agents for dermatological conditions to further add to the body of knowledge.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Biological Factors / adverse effects
  • Biological Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Contraception / standards
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange / immunology
  • Pregnancy / drug effects*
  • Pregnancy Complications / chemically induced
  • Pregnancy Complications / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Safety
  • Skin Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Biological Factors