Fetal death in utero and miscarriage in a patient with Crohn’s disease under therapy with ustekinumab: case-report and review of the literature

Abstract

Abstract Background Ustekinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody against the p40 subunit of interleukin (IL) 12 and 23 which is involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases. Ustekinumab is approved for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treatment and has been successfully evaluated in phase II and III trials for patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Case presentation We report here the case of a patient who became pregnant during treatment with ustekinumab for a refractory CD and which ended in miscarriage. Conclusion Ustekinumab is a relatively new pharmacotherapy and in addition to this clinical case, we reviewed the published literature concerning the use of this treatment during pregnancy and its consequences on pregnancy and fetus outcome.

Keywords

• Anti-IL12/23
• Ustekinumab
• Crohn’s disease
• Pregnancy