Reproductive patterns and maternal and pregnancy outcomes in women with psoriasis-A population-based study.

BACKGROUND

Data on pregnancy outcomes in women with psoriasis are conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether maternal psoriasis affects the risk of adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes.

METHODS

We used population-based data to compare reproductive patterns in women with and without psoriasis. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for adverse outcomes were estimated with adjustments for maternal age, period of childbirth, smoking, and prepregnancy body mass index.

RESULTS

Compared with women without psoriasis, women with psoriasis were younger at first birth and had longer interpregnancy intervals but did not differ in final parity. Risk estimates in women with psoriasis were elevated for pregnancy hypertension (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.19-1.58), premature rupture of membranes (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.04-1.27), large for gestational age (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.21), cleft palate (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.07-2.66), and unspecified malformations (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.01-1.16).

LIMITATIONS: No information was available on lifestyle, disease severity, or type and duration of treatment. Small numbers hampered the assessment of rare outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Although there was no evidence that fertility is negatively affected, women with psoriasis were at an increased risk of several adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes. Our findings add to a growing body of evidence that pregnancies in women with psoriasis need special monitoring.