Infant Ustekinumab Clearance, Risk of Infection, and Development After Exposure During Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Evidence on ustekinumab safety in pregnancy is gradually expanding, but its clearance in the postnatal period is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate ustekinumab concentrations in umbilical cord blood and rates of clearance after birth, as well as how these correlate with maternal drug concentrations, risk of infection, and developmental milestones during the first year of life.

METHODS

Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease were prospectively recruited from 19 hospitals in Denmark and the Netherlands between 2018 and 2022. Infant infections leading to hospitalization/antibiotics and developmental milestones were assessed. Serum ustekinumab concentrations were measured at delivery and specific time points. Nonlinear regression analysis was applied to estimate clearance.

RESULTS

In 78 live-born infants from 76 pregnancies, we observed a low risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and normal developmental milestones. At birth, the median infant-mother ustekinumab ratio was 2.18 (95% confidence interval, 1.69-2.81). Mean time to infant clearance was 6.7 months (95% confidence interval, 6.1-7.3 months). One in 4 infants at 6 months had an extremely low median concentration of 0.015 μg/mL (range 0.005-0.12 μg/mL). No variation in median ustekinumab concentration was noted between infants with (2.8 [range 0.4-6.9] μg/mL) and without (3.1 [range 0.7-11.0] μg/mL) infections during the first year of life (P = .41).

CONCLUSIONS

No adverse signals after intrauterine exposure to ustekinumab were observed with respect to pregnancy outcome, infections, or developmental milestones during the first year of life. Infant ustekinumab concentration was not associated with risk of infections. With the ustekinumab clearance profile, live attenuated vaccination from 6 months of age seems of low risk.

The association between soluble CD163, disease severity, and ursodiol treatment in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

INTRODUCTION

The macrophage activation marker soluble (s)CD163 is associated with disease severity and prognosis in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment attenuates fibrosis progression in PBC patients, but its effect on macrophage activation is unclear. We examined the effect of UDCA on macrophage activation, as determined by sCD163 levels.

METHODS

We included 2 cohorts of PBC patients; 1 cohort with prevalent PBC patients, and 1 cohort of incident PBC patients before start of UDCA treatment and with follow-up after 4 weeks and 6 months. We measured sCD163 and liver stiffness in both cohorts. Further, we measured sCD163 and TNF-α shedding in vitro in monocyte-derived macrophages after UDCA and lipopolysaccharide incubation.

RESULTS

We included 100 patients with prevalent PBC [93% women, median age 63 y (interquartile range: 51-70)] and 47 patients with incident PBC [77% women, median age 60 y (49-67)]. Prevalent PBC patients had a lower median sCD163 of 3.54 mg/L (2.77-4.72) than incident PBC patients with a median sCD163 of 4.33 mg/L (2.83-5.99) at inclusion. Patients with an incomplete response to UDCA and patients with cirrhosis had higher sCD163 than responders to UDCA and noncirrhosis patients. After 4 weeks and 6 months of UDCA treatment median sCD163 decreased by 4.6% and 9.0%, respectively. In in vitro experiments, UDCA attenuated shedding of TNF-α, but not sCD163, from monocyte-derived macrophages.

CONCLUSION

In PBC patients, sCD163 levels correlated with liver disease severity and treatment response to UDCA. Further, after 6 months of UDCA treatment, we observed a decrease in sCD163, which may be related to the treatment.

Vedolizumab clearance in neonates, susceptibility to infections and developmental milestones: a prospective multicentre population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the consequences of intrauterine exposure to, and the post-natal clearance of, vedolizumab.

AIMS

To investigate the levels of vedolizumab in umbilical cord blood of newborns and rates of clearance after birth, as well as how these correlated with maternal drug levels, risk of infection and developmental milestones during the first year of life METHODS: Vedolizumab-treated pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease were prospectively recruited from 12 hospitals in Denmark and Canada in 2016-2020. Demographics were collected from medical records. Infant developmental milestones were evaluated by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Vedolizumab levels were measured at delivery and, in infants, every third month until clearance. Non-linear regression analysis was applied to estimate clearance.

RESULTS

In 50 vedolizumab-exposed pregnancies, we observed 43 (86%) live births, seven (14%) miscarriages, no congenital malformations and low risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Median infant:mother vedolizumab ratio at birth was 0.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.56). The mean time to vedolizumab clearance in infants was 3.8 months (95% CI, 3.1-4.4). No infant had detectable levels of vedolizumab at 6 months of age. Developmental milestones at 12 months were normal or above average. Neither vedolizumab exposure in the third trimester (RR 0.54, 95% CI, 0.28-1.03) nor combination therapy with thiopurines (RR 1.29, 95% CI, 0.60-2.77) seemed to increase the risk of infections in the offspring.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal vedolizumab clearance following intrauterine exposure is rapid. Infant vedolizumab levels did not correlate with the risk of infections during the first year of life. Continuation of vedolizumab throughout pregnancy is safe.

Anti-TNF Therapy in Pregnant Women With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Effects of Therapeutic Strategies on Disease Behavior and Birth Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) adversely affects pregnancy outcomes. Little is known about the risk of relapse after stopping anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatment during pregnancy. We assessed the risk of relapse before delivery in women who discontinued anti-TNF treatment before gestational week (GW) 30, predictors of reduced infant birth weight, a marker associated with long-term adverse outcomes, and rates and satisfaction with counseling.

METHODS

Pregnant women with IBD receiving anti-TNF treatment were prospectively invited to participate in an electronic questionnaire carried out in 22 hospitals in Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand from 2011 to 2015. Risk estimates were calculated, and birth weight was investigated using t tests and linear regression.

RESULTS

Of 175 women invited, 153 (87%) responded. In women in remission, the relapse rate did not differ significantly between those who discontinued anti-TNF before GW 30 (1/46, 2%) compared with those who continued treatment (8/74, 11%; relative risk, 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02 to 1.56; P = 0.08). Relapse (P = 0.001) and continuation of anti-TNF therapy after GW 30 (P = 0.007) were independently associated with reduced mean birth weight by 367 g (95% CI, 145 to 589 g; relapse) and 274 g (95% CI, 77 to 471 g; anti-TNF exposure after GW 30). Of 134 (88%) women who received counseling, 116 (87%) were satisfied with the information provided.

CONCLUSIONS

To minimize fetal exposure in women in remission, discontinuation of anti-TNF before GW 30 seems safe. Relapse and continuation of anti-TNF therapy after GW 30 were each independently associated with lower birth weight, although without an increased risk for birth weight <2500 g. Most women received and were satisfied with counseling.

Concentrations of Adalimumab and Infliximab in Mothers and Newborns, and Effects on Infection

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Little is known about in utero exposure to and postnatal clearance of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents in neonates. We investigated the concentrations of adalimumab and infliximab in umbilical cord blood of newborns and rates of clearance after birth, and how these correlated with drug concentrations in mothers at birth and risk of infection during the first year of life.

METHODS

We performed a prospective study of 80 pregnant women with inflammatory bowel diseases at tertiary hospitals in Denmark, Australia, and New Zealand from March 2012 through November 2014: 36 received adalimumab and 44 received infliximab; 39 received concomitant thiopurines during pregnancy. Data were collected from medical records on disease activity and treatment before, during, and after pregnancy. Concentrations of anti-TNF agents were measured in blood samples from women at delivery and in umbilical cords, and in infants for every 3 months until the drug was no longer detected.

RESULTS

The time from last exposure to anti-TNF agent during pregnancy correlated inversely with the concentration of the drugs in the umbilical cord (adalimumab: r = -0.64, P = .0003; infliximab: r = -0.77, P < .0001) and in mothers at time of birth (adalimumab, r = -0.80; infliximab, r = -0.80; P < .0001 for both). The median ratio of infant:mother drug concentration at birth was 1.21 for adalimumab (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.49) and 1.97 for infliximab (95% CI, 1.50-2.43). The mean time to drug clearance in infants was 4.0 months for adalimumab (95% CI, 2.9-5.0) and 7.3 months for infliximab (95% CI, 6.2-8.3; P < .0001). Drugs were not detected in infants after 12 months of age. Bacterial infections developed in 4 infants (5%) and viral infections developed in 16 (20%), all with benign courses. The relative risk for infection was 2.7 in infants whose mothers received the combination of an anti-TNF agent and thiopurine, compared with anti-TNF monotherapy (95% CI, 1.09-6.78; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

In a prospective study of infants born to mothers who received anti-TNF agents during pregnancy, we detected the drugs until 12 months of age. There was an inverse correlation between the time from last exposure during pregnancy and drug concentration in the umbilical cord. Infliximab was cleared more slowly than adalimumab from the infants. The combination of an anti-TNF agent and thiopurine therapy during pregnancy increased the relative risk for infant infections almost 3-fold compared with anti-TNF monotherapy. Live vaccines therefore should be avoided for up to 1 year unless drug clearance is documented, and pregnant women should be educated on the risks of anti-TNF use.

[Morbidity of infants born to diabetic mothers]

INTRODUCTION

The pregnancies of diabetic mothers, their deliveries, and complications in relation to the White class are well described. In contrast, very little is known about the morbidity of infants below one year of age, if their mothers suffer from diabetes mellitus. We examined this type of morbidity by analysing hospitalisation after the initial discharge, days with fever, number of contacts to their general practitioner, and increase in weight during the first year of life in relation to the maternal White class.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We carried out a questionnaire-based, follow-up study comprising 217 pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, who were referred to Aarhus Kommune Hospital/Skejby Sygehus for pregnancy and birth care in the period 1985-1995.

RESULTS

We found that 20.3% of the infants had been hospitalised in the first year of life. There was a significant decrease in hospitalisation, fewer visits to the doctor, and fewer days with fever the higher the White class. Infants born of mothers belonging to White class B had the highest median birth weight.

DISCUSSION

Infants who are delivered of mothers who suffer from severe diabetes have a similar rate of morbidity in their first year of life to children whose mothers only suffer from a mild type of diabetes.

Prevention of neonatal infections by vaginal chlorhexidine disinfection during labour

Comparison of two different methods of vaginal disinfection was made with regard to prevention of neonatal infections. In method I, an antepartum vaginal douche with a chlorhexidine solution was used; method II involved the use of chlorhexidine gluconate obstetrical gel during vaginal exploration. We studied 2853 normal deliveries from a total number of 3236 deliveries: 1467 deliveries were allocated randomly to receive a vaginal douche whereas 1386 underwent vaginal exploration using chlorhexidine gel. A total of 203 neonates were transferred to the neonatal unit (120 males and 83 females): 101 belonged to the group where the mothers were subjected to method I, whereas in 102 method II had been used. Within 48 h postpartum 30 neonates from the method I group and 34 neonates from the method II group received systemic antibiotics. There was a tendency towards a higher proportion of full-term neonates with verified septicaemia in the method II group (6 versus 2), whereas the numbers of probable infections were 8 versus 12. The corresponding total numbers in preterm infants were 3 and 2, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. We conclude that the use of chlorhexidine douche compared with vaginal exploration with chlorhexidine gel provides no additional advantages.

Retinal hemorrhages and traction forces in vacuum extraction

The relationship between the traction forces used in 53 clinically indicated vacuum extractions and the incidence and degree of retinal hemorrhages observed in the neonates within 24 hours after birth was examined. A Vacuum Extractor Recorder (Type SF 30, Knick), was used to measure the traction force necessary for delivery of the fetal head. No relationship could be demonstrated between the force time integral and the appearance and grading of retinal bleedings.

A method for objective measurement of fetal head compression during the second stage of labor

The article describes a novel method for the objective measurement of compression forces to which the fetal head is exposed during labor. This involves the placement of a transducer, housed in a silicone rubber and brass casing (18 mm diameter, 6.5 mm thick), over the parietal bone area. The compression forces monitored with the transducer in this position provide an estimate of the intracranial pressure. The technique thus not only provides a means of assessing fetal head compression, but also the efficacy of the expulsion efforts of the mother. Pressure recordings taken during the second stage of 24 deliveries revealed a marked variation in the magnitude of the compression forces between the births.

Measurements of fetal head compression pressure during bearing down and their relationship to the condition of the newborn

Fetal head compression pressure (FHCP) and its clinical importance has been investigated in a group of 46 spontaneous births. Measurement of FHCP was facilitated using a compression transducer positioned between the fetal head and the wall of the birth canal. This method not only constitutes a means of quantitating the forces acting directly on the fetal head, but also provides information about the intracranial pressure generated during delivery. The latter extrapolation is based on the principle of applanation. The technique provides an objective and reliable estimate of intracranial strain and therefore a means of comparing the forces generated under different delivery modes. The condition of the same neonates at birth was assessed using umbilical artery pH, Apgar score, neurobehavioral testing and fundoscopic examination. The mean amplitude of FHCP in the different deliveries ranged from 38 to 390 mmHg (5-52 kPa) with an overall mean of 157.9 mmHg (21.1 kPa). The study indicated that the appearance of retinal hemorrhages in the newborn cannot be explained by exposure of the fetal head to abnormally high compression during birth. Other explanations must be sought for infants with a neurobehavioral deficit, reduced Apgar score, or umbilical artery acidosis at birth. It is concluded that a relatively short period of high FHCP has no obvious consequences for fetal well-being, at least within the limits described in the present report.

Birth progression and traction forces developed under vacuum extraction after slow or rapid application of suction

A vacuum extraction recorder was used to provide an objective measure of the traction forces developed on the fetal head during 120 vacuum extractions. In half of the deliveries the vacuum was gradually and stepwise increased to -0.8 kg/cm2 before traction. In the others, a rapid application of vacuum to the same level was chosen. No significant difference could be recorded in the traction forces developed by the different methods. In fact, once an adequate level of vacuum had been achieved, high degrees of traction could be applied to the suction cup, regardless of the rate at which the vacuum was developed. Furthermore, the number and nature of neonatal complications were not influenced by the method chosen.

Neonatal retinal hemorrhages and neurobehavior related to tractive force in vacuum extraction

Fifty clinically indicated vacuum extractions were studied to evaluate a possible relationship between neurobehavioral abnormality, retinal hemorrhages and the tractive force used for delivery. A Vacuum Extractor Recorder (Type SF 30, Knick), was used to measure the forces necessary for delivery of the head. Infants delivered by the use of extensive tractive force showed no greater incidence of neuropathology than those delivered with less tractive force. The retinal hemorrhages were equally distributed among the infants, irrespective of the tractive force applied or the neurobehavioral assessment. The implication is that retinal hemorrhages cannot be used to evaluate the extent of cerebral influence after birth and that the main cause of neurobehavioral abnormality is the condition leading to the use of the vacuum extractor (VE).

Lack of correlation between umbilical artery pH, retinal hemorrhages and Apgar score in the newborn

Measurement of pH was carried out in blood from the umbilical artery in 100 uncomplicated deliveries immediately after birth. The data were correlated with the results of fundoscopic examination carried out on the same infants within the subsequent 24 h. No relationship could be demonstrated between the grade of retinal hemorrhages and the cord blood pH measurements. Similarly, none of the neonatal birth parameters, including Apgar scores, could be related to individual differences in umbilical blood pH or the incidence or grade of retinal bleedings. The duration of bearing down was significantly and positively correlated (p less than 0.001) to the degree of acidosis in the umbilical blood. It is concluded that the presence of retinal hemorrhages provides little or no information about neonatal wellbeing or the impact of spontaneous birth on the fetus.

Application of fiberoptics to the clinical measurement of intra-uterine pressure in labor

In the present report we describe a new technique for monitoring intra-uterine pressures during labor. The method utilizes a fiberoptic pressure transducer which is both accurate and stable. The pressure sensor is located at the catheter tip thus eliminating hydrostatic errors during monitoring. At body temperature the catheter is soft and flexible and represents no harm to the fetus. The membrane is housed in a metal dome with large lateral apertures. This arrangement greatly reduces the possibility of blockage. A comparison was made between recordings from the fiberoptic pressure transducer and those from a fluid-filled catheter implanted simultaneously in non-selected subjects during labor. Close agreement was obtained in the majority of cases. Large discrepancies between the two techniques were assumed to reflect the fact that the precise measuring point is not identical in each system. To date, recordings have been made in 52 parturients with no problems with insertion of the device and without any indication of equipment malfunction.