Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Gastrointestinal Diseases during Pregnancy and Lactation

Gastrointestinal disorders represent some of the most frequent complaints during pregnancy. Some women have GI disorders that are unique to pregnancy. Other pregnant patients present with chronic GI disorders that require special consideration during pregnancy. Febrile illness along with acute intestinal infections may in some cases cause miscarriage or premature labour. Certain infections have been reported to have caused miscarriage; however, there is no concrete evidence of common gastrointestinal disorders to cause miscarriage or premature labour. If the infection progresses to a critical stage, the foetus is at high risk from both the infection and also the subsequent treatment and antibiotics. Listeriosis is one such infection that can directly harm the foetus, as the organism can directly cross the placenta due to its intracellular lifecycle and is fatal to the neonate. Although salmonella spp. can cause neonatal infection in the new-borns, it is not fatal.