ABSTRACT

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystemic vasculitis affecting both gender and usually diagnosed in reproductive age. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relation between BD and pregnancy on the both maternal and fetal aspects.

In this retrospective, single-center, descriptive study we analysed total 61 pregnancies of 18 BD patients. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from patients records regarding maternal age, disease histroy, obstetric history, pregnancy outcome and both maternal and fetal complicaitons. To prevent recall bias, only the recent pregnancy of each patient were evaluated for disease activity and use or revision of medicaitons during pregnancy.

The median age of the patients at diagnosis was 25 and first pregnancy age was 24.5 years. The median duration of BD during pregnancy was 3.5 years. Only one patient needed to in vitro fertilization to become pregnant. All patients were in remission before recent pregnancy. Fourteen (77.8%) patients had no symptoms during recent pregnancy, while remaining 3 patients had mucocutaneous and 1 patient had vascular activity. The rate of live birth was 74.1%, abortus was 20.7%, preterm labor was 11.6%, pre-eclampsia was 5.6%, and no congenital fetal abnormality was observed.

Except for vascular complications, no major organ involvement was described during pregnancy. Higher miscarriage rates were observed compared the healthy pregnancyies. Obstetric complications were not increased and fetal outcomes were not negatively affected by BD. BD is not a contraindication for the onset of pregnancy but control of disease activity before pregnancy, revision of potentially teratogenic agents, and frequent follow-up of patients in view of potential complicaitons are important to minimize risks.