MANAGEMENT OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS IN PREGNANCY
Rajaa Majid Abdulateef* and Lamyaa Abdulateef Rashid
ABSTRACT
As with several autoimmune diseases, myasthenia gravis (MG) occurs
frequently in young women in their childbearing years. The treatment
of MG in women therefore poses unique and challenging issues to
neurologists, obstetricians, and neonatologists as the safety of both
mother and fetus needs to be carefully considered when choosing a
therapeutic plan. The severity of generalized weakness and the
potential for respiratory insufficiency and myasthenic crises in the
mother should dictate how aggressive a treatment plan should be. The
potential effects of immunosuppressant medications on the fetus
should always be weighed against the risk of myasthenic crises and its potential to endanger
both mother and fetus. Successful management of MG during pregnancy and in the
postpartum period is possible in many cases but requires collaboration between the
obstetrician, the neurologist, and a well-informed patient. The neurologist should be able to
counsel women and discuss treatment options and pregnancy risks based on the best current
knowledge, so that women will be able to make an informed decision and successfully
complete pregnancy.
Keywords: Myasthenia Gravis, Pregnancy.
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