Cure8 news brief
IBD activity during pregnancy affects maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study suggests that intestinal ultrasound (IUS) in pregnancy identifies active disease linked to prematurity, low birth weight, and preeclampsia even when clinical scores and calprotectin may appear low.
Pregnant people with IBD (including Crohn’s disease), obstetricians and gastroenterologists who manage antenatal IBD, and clinicians interested in monitoring strategies during pregnancy.
This international prospective cohort study (n=377 pregnant people with IBD; 234 had intestinal ultrasound during pregnancy) found that intestinal ultrasound (IUS) measures of active disease in the second trimester were associated with higher risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Specifically, bowel wall thickness (BWT) >6 mm in T2 was linked to higher prematurity and low birth weight risks, and hyperemia on IUS in T2 was linked to higher preeclampsia risk. IUS findings had weak agreement with clinical activity scores and fecal calprotectin, particularly in Crohn’s disease.
How this might matter day-to-day IUS gives an objective, imaging-based assessment of antenatal IBD activity that may detect risks not captured by symptoms or calprotectin. The authors suggest considering routine IUS monitoring during pregnancy to inform therapeutic decisions aimed at optimizing maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Practical note on interpretation This brief summarizes the article’s report; it does not provide clinical guidance. Decisions about monitoring or treatment during pregnancy should be made with a patient’s care team.
This is a prospective cohort study reported by DocWireNews summarizing research; it is not a guideline. The article reports associations between IUS findings and outcomes but does not establish that changing treatment based on IUS improves outcomes. Clinical decisions should rely on specialist judgment and current pregnancy-IBD guidelines.
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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