The use of medications for inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy and nursing.

Inflammatory bowel disease includes two primary disorders, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. These diseases mainly affect young adults, with a peak occurrence between 15 and 25 years of age. The causes of these diseases are largely unknown, with current treatments targeted against the heightened inflammatory response witnessed in the intestinal mucosa of both conditions. With the peak age ranges for pregnancy and inflammatory bowel disease overlapping, it is important to weigh the benefits of treating a mother during pregnancy against the potential risks to the fetus and the course of the pregnancy. This review examines the current safety data on medications used in women with inflammatory bowel disease during pregnancy.