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OBJECTIVE:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a typical onset in peak reproductiveyears. Evidence of the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in IBD is importantin the management of pregnancy to aid management. The aim of this study is toprovide a clear assessment of risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancy in womenwith inflammatory bowel disease. DESIGN: A Medline literature search wasperformed to identify studies reporting outcomes of pregnancy in IBD patients.Random-effect meta-analysis was used to compare outcomes between women with IBDand normal control patients. Patients and SETTING: A total of 3,907 IBDpatients (Crohn's 1,952 (63%), ulcerative colitis 1,113 (36%)) and 320,531controls were reported in twelve studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria.RESULTS: For women with inflammatory bowel disease there was a 1.87-foldincrease incidence in prematurity (<37 weeks gestation) (95%CI 1.52, 2.31;P<0.001) compared with controls. The incidence of low birth weight(<2500g) was over twice that of normal controls (95%CI 1.38, 3.19;P<0.001). Women with IBD were 1.5 times more likely to undergo caesareansection (95%CI 1.26, 1.79; P<0.001) and the risk of congenital abnormalitieswas associated with a 2.37-fold increase (95%CI 1.47, 3.82; P<0.001)CONCLUSION: The study has demonstrated a higher incidence of adverse pregnancyoutcomes in IBD patients. Further studies are required to clarify which womenare at higher risk as this was not determined in the present study. This has animpact on the management of IBD patients in pregnancy, who should be treated asa potentially high risk group.Leggil'articoloFull-textdisponibile per i soci AIGO !!!!