Abstract | OBJECTIVES: To study influences of pregnancy on the time-course of myasthenia gravis (MG) and of MG on pregnancy, delivery, postpartum and newborn. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 100 women affected with MG, hospitalized between 1994 and 2003 in departments of Neurology of Lille University Hospital. RESULTS: Eighteen patients had a total of 36 pregnancies, occurring 7.2 years on average after MG onset. MG exacerbation occurred in 7 patients (26 percent) during pregnancy and in 4 (14.8 percent) during postpartum. One patient died of acute respiratory failure during postpartum. Delay between the onset of MG and pregnancy was the only variable significantly associated with MG exacerbation: 5.8 years when exacerbation and 9.5 years when no exacerbation (p=0.03). Seven miscarriages, two therapeutic abortions and no death at birth were reported. Levels of anti- acetylcholine receptor antibodies were abnormal in 3 of 27 newborns (11 percent), but only one (3.7 percent) developed seronegative transient neonatal myasthenia gravis. DISCUSSION: CONCLUSION: Our study confirms pregnancy is more difficult to manage at the beginning of MG. Given the unpredictable course of MG during pregnancy, we recommend women affected with MG to begin a pregnancy when the disease is stable.
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Authors | C Ramirez, J de Seze, O Delrieu, T Stojkovic, S Delalande, F Fourrier, D Leys, L Defebvre, A Destée, P Vermersch |
Journal | Revue neurologique
(Rev Neurol (Paris))
Vol. 162
Issue 3
Pg. 330-8
(Mar 2006)
ISSN: 0035-3787 [Print] France |
Vernacular Title | Myasthénie auto-immune et grossesse: évolution clinique, accouchement et post-partum. |
PMID | 16585888
(Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Autoantibodies
- Autoantigens
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
- Immunosuppressive Agents
- Isoantibodies
- Receptors, Cholinergic
- Spironolactone
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Topics |
- Abortion, Therapeutic
- Adult
- Autoantibodies
(immunology)
- Autoantigens
(immunology)
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
(therapeutic use)
- Delivery, Obstetric
(methods, statistics & numerical data)
- Disease Progression
- Female
- France
(epidemiology)
- Hospitals, University
(statistics & numerical data)
- Humans
- Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
- Immunosuppressive Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Infant, Newborn
- Infant, Premature
- Isoantibodies
(immunology)
- Male
- Myasthenia Gravis
(drug therapy, epidemiology, immunology, physiopathology)
- Myasthenia Gravis, Neonatal
(epidemiology, immunology)
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications
(drug therapy, epidemiology, immunology, therapy)
- Puerperal Disorders
(epidemiology)
- Receptors, Cholinergic
(immunology)
- Recurrence
- Retrospective Studies
- Spironolactone
(therapeutic use)
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