Perinatal outcomes in pregnancies complicated by inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic medical diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn¿s disease) are known to complicate maternal and fetal, neonatal and infant outcomes when present in pregnancy. Inflammatory bowel disease occurs most frequently in the reproductive age group, and is known to be increasing in frequency in the general population. Women may present with a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease for the first time in pregnancy, or pre-existing illnesses may worsen, improve or remain stable during pregnancy. It generally believed that the degree of severity of the disease before pregnancy and in the periconceptual period affects maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This population-based study using linked databases in Nova Scotia will evaluate the epidemiology and natural history of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn¿s disease, in relation to pregnancy, and determine the effects of inflammatory bowel disease on perinatal outcomes. Inflammatory bowel disease is known to be a significant burden to health care. Studying the effects of inflammatory bowel disease on pregnancy as well as the effect of pregnancy on inflammatory bowel disease has important implications for preconceptual counselling, antenatal management, management during labour and delivery, care in the postpartum period and management of the disease at a time distant from pregnancy.