Anakinra use in 14 pregnant women with recurrent pericarditis showed favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes with no congenital anomalies or adverse breastfeeding effects.
Is anakinra safe and effective for managing recurrent pericarditis in pregnant and breastfeeding women?
Anakinra appears to be a safe and viable treatment option for recurrent pericarditis during pregnancy and breastfeeding when conventional therapies fail, with no observed adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes.
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Abstract Introduction Recurrent pericarditis poses significant challenges in pregnant and breastfeeding women, requiring treatments that balance maternal health with fetal safety. Anakinra is a recombinant form of human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, and is effective in managing recurrent pericarditis resistant to standard therapies. However, limited data exist on its safety during conception, pregnancy, and lactation, partly due to the rarity of systemic autoinflammatory diseases and the exclusion of reproductive-age women from trials. Methods Women with idiopathic, colchicine-resistant, corticosteroid-dependent recurrent pericarditis treated with anakinra during pregnancy were analyzed. Data included maternal age, medical history, pregnancy outcomes, delivery details, adverse events, and neonatal health, including APGAR scores, birth weight, congenital abnormalities, and breastfeeding outcomes. Results Fourteen women were treated with anakinra during pregnancy, leading to 15 newborns and two early abortions. Two pregnancies are still ongoing. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were favorable, with no complications or adverse effects during pregnancy. There were no congenital anomalies or neonatal infections. Nine babies were breastfed while mothers continued anakinra without adverse effects. Recurrences of pericarditis occurred in nine pregnancies, during anakinra tapering, easily managed with dose adjustments. Conclusion Anakinra is a viable treatment for recurrent pericarditis in pregnant and breastfeeding women when conventional therapies fail. While current evidence supports its safety and efficacy, further studies are essential to establish comprehensive treatment guidelines. Multidisciplinary management is important to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Moda et al. (Sat,) reported a other. Anakinra use in 14 pregnant women with recurrent pericarditis showed favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes with no congenital anomalies or adverse breastfeeding effects.