Psoriasis typically affects young adults and therefore many women with a desire to become pregnant or already pregnant. In this particular situation, treatment can be a real challenge for some patients, especially in the case of severe forms. In addition to local treatments, which are generally well tolerated, UVB phototherapy and cyclosporin remain the first-line systemic treatments. Acitretin and methotrexate are contraindicated. Safety data regarding the administration of biologic agents during pregnancy, are reassuring, the main adverse event being immunosuppression of the newborn if treatment is not discontinued. Biologic agents should ideally be discontinued before pregnancy, but in case of absolute necessity, they can be maintained or even initiated during pregnancy. Overall, it is recommended that biologic agents should not be continued beyond the second trimester because of the risk of maternal-fetal infection. If a biologic agent should be initiated during pregnancy, tanercept or certolizumab will be preferred, because of their low transplacental passage and more extensive safety data.
Keywords: biologic agents; breast feeding; maternal-fetal infection; pregnancy; psoriasis; teratogenicity.