Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Maternal and Offspring Outcomes

January 9, 2025

Paper Citation: Li K, Piguet V, Croitoru D, et al. Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Maternal and Offspring Outcomes. JAMA Dermatol. Published online October 16, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.3584

Plain Language Summary By: 

Kevin J. Li, BS, third year medical student, Dartmouth Medical School

Natalie M. Fragoso, MD, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Department of Dermatology 

What was the purpose of this study?

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) frequently affects people of reproductive age, but it is unclear if and how HS may impact the health of pregnant women and their newborns. This study looked at how having HS during pregnancy may impact the mother’s and her child’s health.

How was the study done?

The study looked at over one million births in Canada from 2006 to 2022. Approximately 1300 births were from mothers with HS. The study followed both the mother’s and the children’s medical records for 16 years.

Mothers with HS were compared to those who did not have HS. Four topics were studied: (1) how the mother’s health was during pregnancy, (2) how the babies did at birth, (3) the health of the mothers up to 16 years after birth, and (4) the health of the children after 16 years.

What did they find?

For the four topics studied, the following results were found:

1. Mother’s health during pregnancy: mothers with HS had a 55% greater risk of high blood pressure, 61% greater risk of diabetes during pregnancy, and 49% greater risk of prolonged vaginal bleeding after delivery. There was also an increased risk of infection and intensive care unit (ICU) stays.
   
   
2. Babies at birth: newborns of mothers with HS had a 28% greater risk of being born early (before 37 weeks) and a 29% greater risk of having a birth defect, such as heart defects or cleft lip.
   
   
3. Health of the mothers up to 16 years after birth: mothers with HS had 2.29 times risk of being hospitalized later in life. Some reasons for hospitalization included severe infections or allergy related problems.
   
   
4. Health of the children after 16 years: children of mothers with HS had 1.31 times the risk of being hospitalized. Some reasons for hospitalization included breathing problems and issues with childhood development.

What does this study mean?

HS during pregnancy is linked with potential health problems for the mother and her newborn during pregnancy, at the time of birth, and later in life. Pregnant patients with HS should be closely monitored throughout pregnancy. Mothers and their children should also be followed by a medical provider regularly after delivery.

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