A NEW cohort study has revealed that most pregnant individuals with autoimmune conditions continue using biologic therapies during pregnancy—but usage patterns differ significantly depending on the underlying condition.
Analysing insurance claims data from over 6,100 pregnancies between 2011 and 2022, researchers found that 71.6% of individuals who used biologics before pregnancy continued treatment at least once during pregnancy. However, biologic use decreased progressively over the trimesters—from nearly 69% in the first trimester to just under 49% by the third—and only partially rebounded after childbirth.
The likelihood of continuing biologics varied substantially across disease types. Pregnant individuals with Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis were far more likely to maintain biologic therapy than those with rheumatoid arthritis, while those with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis were significantly less likely to continue.
“These differences suggest that clinical decisions around biologic use during pregnancy are influenced not only by the individual’s health but also by the perceived or real risks associated with specific diseases and treatments,” the authors wrote.
The findings underscore the need for indication-specific guidance on biologic use during pregnancy to ensure both maternal disease control and fetal safety. Further research is needed to better understand the implications of continuing—or stopping—treatment throughout pregnancy.
Reference
Ewig CLYet al. Use of Biologics During Pregnancy Among Patients With Autoimmune Conditions. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(5):e2510504.
