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Pregnant women

Relapse Risk in MOGAD During Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at New York University Grossman School of Medicine have conducted a retrospective chart review of 15 women diagnosed with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and their 22 post-MOGAD onset pregnancies. The study aimed to determine the impact of pregnancy and the postpartum period on MOGAD disease activity. The findings suggest that the relapse risk is very low during pregnancy in women with MOGAD, and postpartum relapse risk does not appear to be elevated in patients with a low pre-pregnancy relapse rate. The study also found that approximately half of the women in the series were receiving disease-modifying therapies during the postpartum period, which may have decreased relapse rates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 15 women diagnosed with MOGAD and their 22 post-MOGAD onset pregnancies.
  • No relapses were observed during any of the 22 pregnancies, but 2 relapses were observed in the postpartum period in a single patient with a steroid-dependent relapsing course.
  • The mean annualized relapse rates (ARRs) were 0.26 ± 0.86 during the 12-month pre-pregnancy period, 0 during pregnancy, and 0.09 ± 0.42 in the 12-month postpartum period.
  • Twelve of 22 pregnancies (55%) were exposed to disease-modifying therapy (DMT) at conception, and 59% were continued on DMT into the postpartum period.
  • Obstetric complications were recorded in 5 of 22 pregnancies (22%).
  • The study found that postpartum relapse risk does not appear to be elevated in patients with a low pre-pregnancy relapse rate.
  • Disease-modifying therapies may help decrease relapse rates during the postpartum period.

Statistics:

  • 15 women were diagnosed with MOGAD and included in the study.
  • 22 post-MOGAD onset pregnancies were examined in the study.
  • No relapses were observed during pregnancy (ARR = 0).
  • 2 relapses were observed in the postpartum period in a single patient with a steroid-dependent relapsing course.
  • The mean ARR was 0.26 ± 0.86 during the 12-month pre-pregnancy period, and 0.09 ± 0.42 in the 12-month postpartum period.
  • 12 of 22 pregnancies (55%) were exposed to DMT at conception, and 59% were continued on DMT into the postpartum period.
  • Obstetric complications were recorded in 5 of 22 pregnancies (22%).

Sources:

  • Relapse risk before, during and after pregnancy in MOG antibody-associated disorder: a two-center retrospective study. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 2025;142:111668.
  • Elsevier Sci Ltd, 125 London Wall, London, England (Journal of Clinical Neuroscience - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-clinical-neuroscience)
  • NewsRx. Recent Findings from New York University Grossman School of Medicine Advance Knowledge in Immunoglobulins (Relapse risk before, during and after pregnancy in MOG antibody-associated disorder: a two-center retrospective study). OBGYN & Reproduction Week. October 20, 2025; p 676.

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