Psoriasis, pregnancy, and lactation: clinical implications and treatments.

INTRODUCTION

About 75% of psoriasis cases in the female population affect women under 40 years of age, hence possibly involving pregnancy or lactation periods. Data concerning common topical and systemic treatments for psoriasis during pregnancy and lactation are limited given the fact that pregnancy is an exclusion criterion for clinical trials.

AREAS COVERED: The aim of our review is to provide an overview of currently available treatments in women with childbearing potential, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, both topical and systemic, including biological therapies and small molecules.

EXPERT OPINION: The choice of the most appropriate treatment must be made on a case-by-case basis, assessing the risk-benefit ratio for the mother and the fetus or offspring. We recommend multidisciplinary management of the patient and consultation of data, if available, from national safety registers on pregnancy outcomes in exposed mothers.