Azathioprine safety and dosing in pregnancy for mothers with autoimmune disease and their babies

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

Researchers at Duke University will follow pregnant women with systemic lupus or other autoimmune diseases who are taking azathioprine to understand how the drug behaves in the body during pregnancy and how different doses impact safety for both mother and baby. The project will track drug levels, liver-related side effects, and pregnancy outcomes to refine dosing guidelines. By combining pharmacokinetic data with maternal and infant health information, the study aims to identify dosing strategies that minimize risk while maintaining disease control. The findings could help clinicians personalize treatment for pregnant patients needing immunosuppression.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Duke University
  Durham, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Balevic, Stephen Joseph — Duke University
• Study coordinator: Balevic, Stephen Joseph

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About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.