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New research into pregnancy rates in women with CF
With newer drugs such as Kaftrio becoming available since the study period, this suggests that we can expect more women with CF to become pregnant in the future.
The researchers looked at data from women in England and Wales aged 15-44, between 2003-17, and investigated how pregnancy and live birth rates among women with CF compared to the general population. They also looked at how the approval of modulator therapy ivacaftor in 2013 affected pregnancy rates in women with CF.
The team also used data from the CF Registry – which holds the health data of most people with CF in the UK – to assess pregnancy outcomes as well as lung function.
Although they found that the pregnancy rate among women with CF was three times lower than the general population, their analysis revealed that after taking ivacaftor, over 50% more women with CF became pregnant.
“This exciting research shows that an increasing number of women with CF who are taking modulator therapies are becoming pregnant and points towards a further increase in women with CF having children in future. It should help clinicians better understand and plan how to support women with CF through every stage of their pregnancy.
Rebecca Cosgriff, Director of Data & Quality Improvement at Cystic Fibrosis Trust
“While these findings are promising, modulator therapies don’t work for everyone. We won’t stop until everyone with CF is able to live a long and full life, including having the choice to start their own family.”
If you have CF and are thinking about starting a family, download our Starting a Family information pack.
The full paper is available here.