Pregnancy and IBD

This chapter examines the role of biomarkers in the assessment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during pregnancy. The pregnant state is unique as it requires consideration of the wellbeing of both mother and foetus. It is now established through multiple studies that active IBD can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Hence, accurate monitoring of disease activity during pregnancy is imperative. However, evaluating disease activity during pregnancy is complicated as the physiological adaptations that occur during pregnancy may affect gastrointestinal symptoms and interpretation of available biomarkers. In addition, several methods of assessing IBD bring safety concerns regarding potential risks to the foetus, including endoscopy and computed tomography (CT) imaging.