Research indicates that children born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of developing various health issues, including RA itself, epilepsy, and thyroid disorders, with a noted increase in risk compared to children of unaffected mothers. The study, which involved over 250,000 participants from 1989 to 2013, also highlighted susceptibility to chronic lung conditions, anxiety, and personality disorders in offspring of afflicted mothers. While the risks exist, women with RA are advised that effective symptom management exists, and the decision to become pregnant should consider these findings but not be solely based on RA diagnosis.

1. MATERNAL RA INCREASES
RISK IN OFFSPRING
DR. MICHA ABELES

2. RESEARCH HAS
SHOWN
that children born to mothers with
rheumatoid arthritis (RA) could be more
susceptible to certain diseases, including RA
itself.
For those unfamiliar with the disease,
rheumatoid arthritis is a painful joint
condition, occurring when the immune cells
that normally lubricate the joints become
inflamed instead. This causes pain, swelling,
and redness around the affected areas. While
the underlying cause is unknown, flare-ups
can be more prevalent in humid conditions.

3. ACCORDING TO A
DANISH STUDY,
fetal exposure to RA increases the odds that
the child itself will develop this ailment.
Further, they could be up to three times as
susceptible to epilepsy and a number of
thyroid disorders, though the risk still
remains relatively low: Children born to
mothers without RA had a .7 percent chance
of developing the disease, versus 1.6 percent
born to those with RA.
The study, which took place from 1989 to
2013, examined 2106 pregnant mothers who
suffered from RA, and over a quarter of a
million others who were unafflicted. The
findings showed that the developing fetuses
of the afflicted mothers were also more
susceptible to other ailments, such as chronic
lung issues (including but not limited to
asthma), anxiety, and personality disorders.

4. TAKING THESE FINDINGS INTO ACCOUNT,
should women who are afflicted with RA avoid becoming pregnant? The final choice
rests with the individual, but there are other important factors that should be
considered as well. For instance, there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but there
are a number of medications on the market that can help sufferers manage their
symptoms. Those afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis could also be at greater risk for
osteoporosis, so high consumption of vitamin D and calcium is recommended. While
there's no provable link between the consumption of certain foods and RA flare-ups, a
diet high in those minerals and omega-3 acids can be helpful.

5. IN SHORT
as the risk is still minimal, and as many adults
are able to manage their symptoms through
the use of medication, these findings
shouldn't necessarily deter prospective
mothers from becoming pregnant simply
because they've been diagnosed with RA.
Further, the onset of the disease generally
occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, at
which time the individual could be dealing
with any number of other ailments; the risk of
RA is not in and of itself a reason to forego
pregnancy. It is just something to consider
when couples wish to try for a child.

6. THANK YOU FOR VIEWING!
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RHEUMATOLOGY, VISIT DR. ABELES AT HIS
BLOG: MICHAABELESMD.NET