Risk Factors for Children Born to Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis .

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the joints and other organs in the body.

The condition can affect women of reproductive age and can have implications for both pregnancy and the children born to women with the condition. In this article, we will explore some of the risk factors for children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors that have been identified for children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis. These include:.

Maternal inflammation

Women with rheumatoid arthritis may have raised levels of inflammatory cytokines during pregnancy. These cytokines can cross the placenta and affect fetal development.

Studies have shown that children born to women with high levels of inflammatory markers during pregnancy are at increased risk of reduced fetal growth, preterm delivery, and small for gestational age babies.

Gestational Diabetes

Women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a condition where the body is unable to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Children born to women with gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing type II diabetes later in life.

Premature Birth

Women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of premature delivery, which is defined as birth before the 37th week of gestation.

Premature babies are at increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and other complications. It is important that women with rheumatoid arthritis get regular prenatal care to monitor the risk of premature delivery.

Low Birth Weight

Children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis tend to have lower birth weights than babies born to healthy women. Low birth weight is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 grams.

Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of infant mortality, as well as long-term health problems such as developmental delays and chronic diseases.

Congenital Heart Disease

Children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease is a group of heart defects that are present at birth.

The risk of congenital heart disease is highest in women who have rheumatoid arthritis that is poorly controlled during pregnancy.

Neonatal Infection

Children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of infections during the neonatal period. Neonatal infections are infections that occur during the first 28 days of life.

The risk of neonatal infection is highest in women who have rheumatoid arthritis that is poorly controlled during pregnancy.

Childhood Asthma

Children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of developing childhood asthma. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

The risk of childhood asthma is highest in children who have mothers with severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Childhood Obesity

Children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of developing childhood obesity. Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile for age and sex.

Childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Childhood Cancers

Children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of developing childhood cancers. Childhood cancers are a group of cancers that occur in children under the age of 15.

The risk of childhood cancer is highest in children whose mothers were treated with immunosuppressive drugs during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of several health problems, including premature birth, low birth weight, congenital heart disease, neonatal infection, childhood asthma, childhood obesity, and childhood cancer.

It is important that women with rheumatoid arthritis receive regular prenatal care and work closely with their healthcare providers to manage their condition during pregnancy.