What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the safety of JAK inhibitors during pregnancy in women with inflammatory bowel disease, focusing on maternal and infant outcomes.

January 23, 2026

DOP041Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes After In Utero Exposure to JAK Inhibitors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Global Multicenter Cohort Study

Key Points

To assess the safety of JAK inhibitors during pregnancy in women with inflammatory bowel disease, focusing on maternal and infant outcomes.
Conducted a multicenter retrospective study within the ECCO CONFER network.
Included pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease exposed to JAK inhibitors.
Data collected from 22 centers in 16 countries, covering various maternal and infant outcomes.
Low maternal complication rates with no cases of DVT or preeclampsia.
Among 45 live births, low rates of preterm births and small for gestational age infants.
No congenital abnormalities reported, and infant vaccination adherence was high.

Abstract

Abstract Background JAK inhibitors (JAKi) are small molecules that cross the placenta from early pregnancy.1 Evidence on the safety of in utero JAKi exposure remains limited, particularly regarding pregnancy outcomes, infant infections, vaccine responses, and early development.2, 3 Methods We conducted a multicenter retrospective study within the ECCO CONFER network, including pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exposed to tofacitinib (TOFA), upadacitinib (UPA), or filgotinib (FILGO). Data were collected from 22 centers across 16 countries and included maternal characteristics, disease activity, medication patterns, and pregnancy and infant outcomes. Results Among 55 JAKi exposed pregnancies, 21 (38.2%) were unplanned and 30 (54.6%) had active disease. Nine women (16.4%) initiated JAKi during pregnancy. Overall, 38 (69.1%) received TOFA, 15 (27.3%) UPA, and 2 (3.6%) FILGO; 39 (70.9%) continued treatment throughout pregnancy. JAKi discontinuation in 1st-2nd trimester led to disease activity in 9/16 cases (56.3%). Maternal complication risk was low: no DVT or (pre) eclampsia occurred; three cases of premature rupture of membranes (GA 34–37) and four required hospitalizations due to infection or other complications. A total of 10 abortions occurred - five spontaneous (9.1%) and five induced (9.1%), including three due to concern about JAKi exposure. Among 45 live births, two infants (3.6%) were preterm, four (7.3%) small for gestational age, and two (3.6%) had Apgar 7 at 5 minutes. No congenital abnormalities were reported. Infant follow-up findings are summarized in Table 1. One-third of breastfeeding women continued JAKi postpartum. A high adherence rate to the national immunization schedule was seen. Eight (19.5%) received the live BCG-vaccine within the first 30 days of life. No adverse events followed live or inactivated vaccines, and no malignancies were observed. Conclusion In this global cohort of JAKi-exposed pregnancies in women with IBD, maternal complication rates were low, and no increased risk of adverse outcomes among live births was identified. While disease activity was common, particularly following discontinuation of JAKi, infant outcomes - including development, infection risk, and vaccine response - were reassuring. These findings provide important preliminary safety data to inform decision-making regarding JAKi use in pregnancy, though prospective studies are needed to confirm long-term safety. References: 1.Fein KC, Arral ML, Kim JS, et al. Placental drug transport and fetal exposure during pregnancy is determined by drug molecular size, chemistry, and conformation. J Control Release 2023;361:29–39. 2.Torres J, Chaparro M, Julsgaard M, et al. European Crohn’s and Colitis Guidelines on Sexuality, Fertility, Pregnancy, and Lactation. J Crohns Colitis 2023;17:1–27. 3.Mahadevan U, Seow CH, Barnes EL, et al. Global Consensus Statement on the Management of Pregnancy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Crohns Colitis 2025;epub ahead of print. Conflict of interest: Julsgaard, Mette: No conflict of interest Baunwall, Simon MD: No conflict of interest Seow, Cynthia: No conflict of interest Duricova, Dana: No conflict of interest Kane, Sunanda: No conflict of interest Zacharias, Neha: No conflict of interest Leong, Rupert: No conflict of interest Cremer, Anneline: No conflict of interest Kok, Klaartje: No conflict of interest Kagramanova, Anna Valeryevna: No conflict of interest Pipek, Barbora: No conflict of interest Candido, Kristina: No conflict of interest Cooney, Rachel: No conflict of interest Filip, Rafal: No conflict of interest Kiudelis, Vytautas: No conflict of interest Konečný, Michal: No conflict of interest Paramsothy, Sudarshan: No conflict of interest Pugliese, Daniela: No conflict of interest Oliveira Santana Silva, Genoile: Honoraria - Abbvie, Johnson & Johnson, Ferring, Takeda. Research - Abivax, Takeda, Johnson & Johnson, Roche, Sanofi, Polpharma. Advisory board - Abbvie, Johnson & Johnson, MSD. Savarino, Edoardo Vincenzo: No conflict of interest Smolovic, Brigita: No conflict of interest Vieujean, Sophie: No conflict of interest Wei, Shu Chen: No conflict of interest Mahadevan-Velayos, Uma: No conflict of interest

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