By Dr Pranab Gyawali, Consultant Gastroenterologist
Is Infliximab Safe During Pregnancy? A Dubai Gastroenterologist Explains
A Common and Important Question
I saw a patient recently who asked a very important question:
“Can I get pregnant while I’m on infliximab?”
“Is it safe to stay on biologics if I’m planning a baby?”
These are questions I get often in my IBD clinic—from women living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis who are thinking about pregnancy.
If you’ve asked the same, this article will help guide you through what the latest guidelines say, and how we approach it in real life.
Who I Am
I’m Dr. Pranab, a consultant Gastroenterologist trained and practiced in London, now based in Dubai.
I’ve looked after many women with IBD through pregnancy—including those on biologics like infliximab (Remicade)or adalimumab (Humira)—before, during, and after they give birth.
We now have excellent data and strong international guidance to help you make informed, confident decisions.
What the BSG 2025 Guidelines Say
The British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) 2025 guidelines are very clear:
“Active disease during conception and pregnancy carries a higher risk than continuing effective maintenance therapy.”
Staying in remission is more important than stopping medication.
Biologics like infliximab can help keep your disease well controlled. If they’re working for you, continuing them may be the safest approach.
What the Research Says About Baby Outcomes
You’re not alone in worrying about the baby’s safety.
But large studies, like the PIANO registry, give us strong reassurance:
- No increase in birth defects
- No increase in infections in infants
- Normal developmental outcomes
Babies born to mothers on infliximab do just as well as those who weren’t exposed—especially when the mother is in remission during pregnancy.
What About Timing and Vaccines?
If infliximab is continued into the third trimester, small amounts can pass to the baby across the placenta.
This doesn’t usually cause harm, but it does mean that certain live vaccines, such as:
- BCG (for tuberculosis)
- Rotavirus
may need to be delayed until around 6 to 12 months of age.
Don’t worry—your paediatrician will guide you on the safest vaccination schedule.
All non-live vaccines can be given as normal.
My Advice to Women Planning Pregnancy
If you’re living with Crohn’s or colitis and thinking about starting a family:
- Talk to your gastroenterologist early
- Don’t stop or change treatment without advice
- Make remission the goal before conceiving
- And don’t be afraid of continuing medication if it’s keeping you well
Biologics like infliximab can be part of a safe, successful pregnancy.
Key Takeaways
- Infliximab is generally safe in pregnancy
- Being in remission is more important than stopping treatment
- Babies exposed to biologics do well in long-term studies
- Some live vaccines may need to be delayed
- Always individualize decisions with your own doctor
Need Help with Crohn’s, Colitis, or IBD Pregnancy Planning in Dubai?
I offer expert consultations for patients with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other complex gut conditions—including those planning for pregnancy.
Recommended Guides:
FMT, Probiotics and Next-Generation Microbiome Therapies
- AI in Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis: Can Machine Learning Predict IBD Treatment Response?
- FMT and infliximab in IBD: could the microbiome help biologics work better?
- Fecal microbiota transplant for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Probiotics for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis: what actually works?
- Probiotics in ulcerative colitis: what does the MB310 trial mean?
- Engineered probiotic for ulcerative colitis 2026
- Probiotics for ulcerative colitis: what actually works?
Gut Microbiome, Diet and Treatment Response
- Diet and microbiome in IBD: how the right bacteria calm gut inflammation
- Gut microbiome in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- How the Oxygen Trap may be driving your IBD, and why diet still matters
- IBD flare risk, diet and calprotectin
- IBD breakthrough: how gut bacteria unlock natural anti-inflammatories
- Gut microbiome test in Dubai
Crohn’s, Colitis and Biologic Treatment Strategy
- Learn about Biologicals used in UC and Crohn’s in Dubai
- Crohn’s disease specialist care in Dubai
- Ulcerative colitis specialist care in Dubai
- How biologics work in Crohn’s and colitis
- How we choose the right biologic for Crohn’s and UC in Dubai
- New omics research: predicting response to biologics in Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis
Investigations and Procedures
- Colonoscopy for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis monitoring
- Capsule endoscopy for small bowel Crohn’s disease
- MRI abdomen and MR enterography
- CT abdomen and CT enterography
- Hydrogen and methane breath test for SIBO
If you wish to discuss this further or would like to make an appointment, please use the booking form on this page.