International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Mothers who have multiple sclerosis (MS) are not likely to have adverse delivery outcomes or put their baby at risk during pregnancy, recent research suggests.

Scientists from Canada analysed data from the British Columbia MS Clinics' database and the BC Perinatal Database Registry between 1998 and 2009 for their research.

Some 432 births to women with MS were registered, while 2,975 children were born to women without the condition.

Results from the study revealed that babies born to mothers with MS did not have a mean gestational age or birthweight which was significantly different to the offspring of women without the disease.

"Our finding that MS was not associated with poor pregnancy or birth outcomes should be reassuring to women with MS who are planning to start a family," said lead researcher Dr Helen Tremlett from the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.

According to the UK charity MS Trust, more than 100,000 people in the country suffer from MS, the majority of whom are female.

Posted by Carla Mackenzie