Pregnancy With a Stoma is Feasible, Though Associated With Manageable Complications

Dutch Initiative on Crohn and Colitis (ICC), Dianne Gelien Bouwknegt, Albertina Henrika Chantall van der Weide, Gerard Dijkstra, Rogier Leon Goetgebuer, Lotte Oldenburg, Willemijn Alexandra van Dop, Meike Madeleine Catherine Hirdes, Jelmer Riemer Prins, Froukje Jantien Hoogenboom, Christien Janneke van der Woude, Marijn Caroline Visschedijk*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is often diagnosed in young adults, and therefore frequently coincides with pregnancy. Patients may require surgery that includes (temporary) stoma placement. Literature on the occurrence of stoma-complications during pregnancy and the effect on pregnancy outcomes is limited. To evaluate stoma- complications peri- and postpartum, a retrospective study was performed in women who were pregnant while having a stoma.

METHODS: This multicentre cohort and survey study included all pregnant patients with IBD and a stoma who delivered between 2016 and 2023 from 5 Dutch university hospitals. Stoma-complications and pregnancy outcomes were retrospectively collected from electronic patient files. A questionnaire assessed patient-reported complications and long-term stoma-related complaints.

RESULTS: In total, 50 patients were included (median age at conception 31.0 years; 55.2% Crohn's disease and 44.8% ulcerative colitis), comprising 67 pregnancies, 5 of which ended in pregnancy loss. Stoma complications occurred in 44 full-term pregnancies (71.0%), most commonly obstruction (35.5%) and decreased output (29.0%). Surgery was required in four pregnancies due to obstruction (n = 3) and prolapse (n = 2). In the first-year postpartum, 7 patients required surgery for stoma-complications. Amongst 29 women who completed the questionnaire, 10 (34.5%) reported unresolved complications 6 months postpartum. Cesarean sections were performed in 31 (50.0%) pregnancies. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included prematurity (n = 9, 14.5%), low birth weight (n = 9, 14.5%), and dysmaturity (n = 5, 8.1%).

CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy with a stoma is feasible, though manageable complications often occur. Counseling before pregnancy and close monitoring of symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum are essential for women with IBD and a stoma.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInflammatory Bowel Diseases
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 3-Jan-2025

Keywords

  • clinical trials
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • pregnancy
  • stoma
  • surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pregnancy With a Stoma is Feasible, Though Associated With Manageable Complications'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this