Question
Can I have children if I have ankylosing spondylitis? I’m currently experiencing pain on the outer side of my thigh and my knee, as well as in my hip. Can someone with ankylosing spondylitis still have children?
Answer
Ankylosing spondylitis, although strongly associated with HLA-B27 and with a significant interference from intergenerational genetic factors in the recurrence of the disease, does not interfere with pregnancy itself. The disease affects the patient’s spinal joints, large joints of the limbs, sacroiliac joints, and extra-articular organs (such as eyes, lungs, kidneys, and heart), but not significantly affects the reproductive organs or perinatal function. Women with early-stage disease who have not yet developed pelvic or spinal fusion can normally deliver, have early pregnancy, and give birth. Wishing you a healthy pregnancy and baby soon.