Abstract

 

Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. The disease particularly affects women of childbearing age. In this study we report the pregnancy and postpartum period in multiple sclerosis patients who were followed up in our clinic.

Method: Retrospective data from MS patients who became pregnant at any time of disease were collected in Inonu University Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Department of Neurology Multiple sclerosis clinic.

Results: Data on 110 women MS patients files were examined. There were 25 MS patients who became pregnant. 17 of 25 patients were prediagnosis group, 8 patients were after diagnosis group. Relapse rate in pregnancy was very low in our patients. There was no complications in newborns. The patients who experienced  relapse usually had this relapse in 1-9 months after delivery.

Conclusions: Our patients had lower relapse rate (4%) in pregnancy. In postpartum period, the relapse rate increases especially during the first three months after delivery. 

Key Words: Multiple Sclerosis; Pregnancy; Postpartum Period.