Lupus

 

Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Click here to register today!

Click here to register today!

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Biggioggero, M.
Right arrow Articles by Meroni, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Biggioggero, M.
Right arrow Articles by Meroni, P.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
Lupus, Vol. 16, No. 8, 651-656 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0961203307079569
© 2007 SAGE Publications

Immune function in children born to mothers with autoimmune diseases and exposed in utero to immunosuppressants

M. Biggioggero

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan

MO Borghi

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan

M. Gerosa

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan

L. Trespidi

IRCCS Policlinico, Mangiagalli & Regina Elena, Department for the Health of Mother, Child and Newborn, 2nd Clinic, Milan, Italy

R. Cimaz

Meyer Hospital, Florence, Italy

PL Meroni

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Milan, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, pierluigi.meroni{at}unimi.it

The administration of immunosuppressive drugs during pregnancy is often necessary in women with autoimmune diseases. Teratogenicity of immunosuppressives during pregnancy has been evaluated, only few data exist about the effects on immune systems. We therefore performed a pilot study on the influence of foetal exposure to immunosuppressives on immune function of babies born to mothers with autoimmune disorders. We investigated serological and cellular parameters as indicators of immune system status. We included in the study 14 babies (mean age 11 months, range 1—24) born to mothers with autoimmune diseases and exposed in utero to different immunosuppressants and, as controls, 14 babies whose mothers had autoimmune manifestations but did not receive immunosuppressive therapy. We evaluated: (i) complete blood count, (ii) immunoglobulin levels and IgG subclasses, (iii) antibody response to hepatitis B vaccine, (iv) leukocyte subpopulations and (v) interleukin-2 and interferon {gamma} in vitro production by resting or activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We did not find statistically significant differences between exposed and not exposed babies or among treatments for the tested parameters. Immunosuppressive regimens currently in use for controlling maternal autoimmune disorders do not significantly affect the immune status of the offspring. Lupus (2007) 16, 651—656.

Key Words: Autoimmunity • immunosuppressive therapy • pregnancy • neonatal immune system


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?