TNFi use during pregnancy in women with RA increases birth weight of offspring

Key clinical point: In women with well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the use of a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) during pregnancy was associated with increased birth weight of the offspring and the birth of fewer small-for-gestational age (SGA) children without an increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Major finding: Compared with non-use of TNFi, the use of TNFi during pregnancy significantly increased the mean birth weight of the offspring (absolute difference 173 g; P  =  .03) and led to fewer SGA children being born (9.8% vs 20.0%; P  =  .05) without increasing the risk for large-for-gestational age and adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as prematurity, low birth weight of offspring, cesarean section, and hypertensive disorders.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective cohort study including 188 women with RA, of which 92 used TNFi during pregnancy.

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Disclosures: This study was supported by the Dutch Arthritis Foundation and UCB. No competing interests were declared.

Source: Smeele HTW et al. Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor use during pregnancy is associated with increased birth weight of rheumatoid arthritis patients’ offspring. Ann Rheum Dis. 2022 (Jul 11). Doi: 10.1136/ard-2022-222679