Crohn's medicine adalimumab in pregnancy may raise baby's infection risk
20 May 2011
Adalimumab taken during pregnancy is transferred to the unborn baby and may heighten the newborn's infection risk for several months, a conference has heard.
The Crohn’s disease medicine, marketed as Humira in Australia, suppresses the immune system and may be detectable in a baby's blood for at least 3 months after birth.
"Since there is some placental transfer of adalimumab before birth, you have to be vigilant in the first 6 months of life," researcher Dr Uma Mahadevan told the US Digestive Disease Week 2011 conference recently.
Infants should be monitored closely for infection in the first 6 months and live-virus vaccines might be unsuitable during that time, she suggested.
However, she did not recommend that mothers cease the drug during pregnancy, as a disease flare-up could be more harmful to both mother and baby, with a risk of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.
Adalimumab sponsor Abbott Australasia said there was limited safety data on the drug in pregnancy.
"The Australian product information for Humira currently includes a precaution advising that its use during pregnancy is not recommended," a spokesperson said.
Last Reviewed: 20 May 2011
- 1. Mahadevan U, Miller JK, Wolf DC. Adalimumab levels detected in cord blood and infants exposed in utero (abstract no. 277). Presented at Digestive Disease Week 2011; Chicago, US; 7-10 May 2011. http://www.ddw.org/user-assets/documents/PDF/01_program/2011/Program_Book11.pdf (accessed May 2011).
