Management of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in pregnancy and lactation in the era of biologics. 2014

Liljana Mervic
Chamber of Dermatovenereology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Corresponding author: liljana.mervic@mf.uni-lj.si.

Psoriasis is not uncommon in the reproductive years and therefore in pregnant patients. There are limited data about the impact of psoriasis on the course and prognosis of pregnancy and about the impact of pregnancy on the course of psoriasis. Usually the disease improves during pregnancy and patients experience worsening between 4 and 6 weeks after delivery. A safe option for patients with limited disease is topical therapy, including moisturizers and topical steroids as well as UVB phototherapy. In the case of active psoriasis or even psoriasis worsening during pregnancy, there might be a need for continuation or even introduction of systemic therapy. Methotrexate and acitretin are known teratogens and mutagens, and they must be avoided. Ciclosporin may be regarded as a possible rescue therapy for pregnant psoriasis patients in the case of severe disease. Post-marketing experience regarding the safety of biologics is accumulating, with largely reassuring results. All four biologics approved for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis--etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, and ustekinumab--are not currently recommended in pregnant psoriasis patients. The existing evidence implies that the risk of biologics in pregnancy is relatively low and that the risk of fetal drug exposure may be outweighed by the benefits for the mother.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007774 Lactation The processes of milk secretion by the maternal MAMMARY GLANDS after PARTURITION. The proliferation of the mammary glandular tissue, milk synthesis, and milk expulsion or let down are regulated by the interactions of several hormones including ESTRADIOL; PROGESTERONE; PROLACTIN; and OXYTOCIN. Lactation, Prolonged,Milk Secretion,Lactations, Prolonged,Milk Secretions,Prolonged Lactation,Prolonged Lactations
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248 Pregnancy Complications Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases. Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D011565 Psoriasis A common genetically determined, chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by rounded erythematous, dry, scaling patches. The lesions have a predilection for nails, scalp, genitalia, extensor surfaces, and the lumbosacral region. Accelerated epidermopoiesis is considered to be the fundamental pathologic feature in psoriasis. Palmoplantaris Pustulosis,Pustular Psoriasis of Palms and Soles,Pustulosis Palmaris et Plantaris,Pustulosis of Palms and Soles,Psoriases
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001688 Biological Products Complex pharmaceutical substances, preparations, or matter derived from organisms usually obtained by biological methods or assay. Biologic,Biologic Drug,Biologic Product,Biological,Biological Drug,Biological Medicine,Biological Product,Biologics,Biopharmaceutical,Natural Product,Natural Products,Biologic Drugs,Biologic Medicines,Biologic Pharmaceuticals,Biologic Products,Biological Drugs,Biological Medicines,Biologicals,Biopharmaceuticals,Products, Biological,Drug, Biologic,Drug, Biological,Drugs, Biologic,Drugs, Biological,Medicine, Biological,Medicines, Biologic,Medicines, Biological,Pharmaceuticals, Biologic,Product, Biologic,Product, Biological,Product, Natural
D012720 Severity of Illness Index Levels within a diagnostic group which are established by various measurement criteria applied to the seriousness of a patient's disorder. Illness Index Severities,Illness Index Severity

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