Marie D'hooghe, MD, PhD

“We should really consider which kind of therapy is needed because we have to balance how their disease activity is evolving and their pregnancy plan. What is the timeframe for this pregnancy plan—a year, or 2, or 3, or is it quite soon?”

As is the case at any meeting focused on multiple sclerosis (MS) management, at 

, September 11-13 in Stockholm, Sweden, the conversation surrounding MS care during pregnancy was a hot topic. For Marie D’hooghe, MD, PhD, neurologist, National MS Center, and consultant neurologist, University Hospital, in Brussels, it was a highlight of a conversation with 

D’hooghe spoke to the importance of truly ensuring that patients with MS who have any intention of becoming pregnant share that information with their physician, and that physicians are inquiring about their family plans. The differences in the treatment approach can be drastic depending on what the timeline is for each individual.

As well, she noted what clinicians should be aware of when it comes to patients who need to utilize assistive reproductive technology and treatments, as their use can have sway on the patient’s risk of disease relapse.

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The neurologist at the National MS Center and University Hospital, in Brussels, discussed the clinician mindset when treating women with MS who plan to get pregnant, and how patients using assistive reproductive treatments should be approached.

Marie D'hooghe, MD, PhD: Pregnancy Plans for Patients With MS

“It’s really important to have a case-by-case approach and to explain to patients, to see if the patient needs a treatment. Some patients might not need a treatment, other patients might have enough disease activity to start a treatment and maybe the modestly effective treatments can be given and can be continued until conception.”

Not only are women more likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), but the disease’s progression plays an important role in the family planning and pregnancy aspects of their lives. Recent data presented at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting suggests that trends in earlier diagnosis, rates of exclusive breastfeeding, and a plethora of readily available and effective disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are likely behind a reduced risk for MS relapse, which they found to extend to the postpartum period.

Although longstanding literature suggests otherwise, either way, the treatment decision-making process is complex for women with MS who plan on having children. At 

, September 11-13 in Stockholm, Sweden, the conversation was certainly a topic of interest.

To find out more, Marie D’hooghe, MD, PhD, neurologist, National MS Center, and consultant neurologist, University Hospital, in Brussels, discussed this topic on-site with 

. D’hooghe shared insight into the process for how to make these decisions, stressing that keep the patient informed and assessing situations on a case by case basis is essential.

Langer-Gould A, Smith J, Albers K, et al. Pregnancy-related relapses in a large, contemporary multiple sclerosis cohort: no increased risk in the postpartum period. Presented at: 2019 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting. May 4-10, 2019; Philadelphia, PA. Abstract S6.007.

The neurologist at the National MS Center and University Hospital, in Brussels, spoke to the decision-making process when treating women with MS who seek to get pregnant, or who are planning a family.

Marie D'hooghe, MD, PhD

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