Psoriatic Pregnancies Pose Risks to the Mother, Not Child Save

A metanalysis of pregnancy outcomes in women with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis finds an excess risk of adverse maternal events, but not adverse neonatal events.

This systematic review included 16 studies meeting inclusion criteria. 

Overall they found that pregnant women with psoriatic diseases have higher risk of adverse maternal outcomes vs the general population:

• Cesarean delivery: 1.33 (1.17-1.52)
• Preterm birth: 1.32 (1.15-1.52);
• Preeclampsia: 1.28 (1.14-1.43)
• Gestational diabetes: 1.19 (1.10-1.30); g
• Gestational hypertension: 1.30 (1.18-1.44).

In contrast, there were no increased risks of adverse fetal complications:

• Small for gestational age: 1.02 (0.93-1.11);
• Low birth weight: 1.15 (0.93-1.42);
• Congenital malformations: 1.03 (0.93-1.14);
• Apgar score <7: 1.07 (0.81-1.39);
• Neonatal mortality: 1.13 (0.90-1.43);
• Stillbirth: 1.19 (0.95-1.50)

Close monitoring of the mothers’ clinical status is essential before and during pregnancy to achieve optimal maternal outcomes.