Neurológia pre prax 6/2014

Woman and multiple sclerosis

The understanding of the effect of pregnancy and hormonal factors provides a new insight into the mechanisms of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS has no negative effect on fertility, course of pregnancy, or fetal health. During pregnancy, the majority of women experience a decrease in disease activity, with a higher risk of relapse in the first three to six months after childbirth. The results of studies on the effect of MS treatment on the course of pregnancy and child development are inconsistent. Pharmacological treatment of MS with a potential teratogenic effect should be discontinued prior to pregnancy. Treatment in the postpartum period depends on disease activity. Assisted reproduction using gonadotropins increases the clinical activity of MS three months after in vitro fertilization. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can be associated with a higher risk of developing MS.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis, pregnancy, treatment.