OVERVIEW

Thanks to studies conducted over the past 20 years, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is no longer considered an obstacle to pregnancy planning, and the number of women with MS choosing motherhood is increasing. The growing use of new disease-modifying therapies in women of childbearing age, the complexity of therapeutic scenarios, and the widespread use of assisted reproduction techniques require specialists involved in patient care to deepen their knowledge in these areas. This masterclass aims to provide the necessary tools for the appropriate multidisciplinary management of women with MS during pregnancy, in order to safeguard the physical and mental health of the mother, child, and couple.

The masterclass will draw on the extensive experience of the multidisciplinary Pregnancy Unit ‘SMamma,’ established in 2016 at the UOSD Multiple Sclerosis Center of the Policlinico di Tor Vergata. This unit employs a pioneering management model that optimizes counseling and clinical outcomes for women with MS who choose to pursue pregnancy. During the masterclass, the topic of pregnancy in women with other antibody mediated autoimmune neurological conditions, such as Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) and Myasthenia gravis (MG) will also be addressed.

An integral part of the program will be in-depth workshops on clinical cases, which will be discussed with experts. Additional online sessions for clinical case discussions will be organized after the meeting as part of this continuous medical education program.

 

ENdorsements

 

This educational activity was endorsed by:

 

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

• Define clinical and molecular prognostic indicators for disease reactivation during pregnancy and postpartum
• Acquire new knowledge regarding the immunology of pregnancy in treated and untreated women
• Implement fertility screening in men and women with MS in the treatment decision making
• Optimize preconception counseling in women with NMOsd and MG and manage therapy
• Facilitate the dissemination of the innovative management model of the multisciplinary ‘MS Pregnancy Unit’

 

TARGET AUDIENCE 

This educational activity is designed for Neurologists, gynecologists, nurses, biologists, obstetricians, pediatricians, infectivologists with special interest or focus in MS and other antibody mediated neurological disease

REGISTRATION FEES

Early Bird: Register by May 31st to secure your discounted fee: 

 

330€

This fee includes:

• Scientific sessions
• Post-event webinars
• Conference materials
• Lunches and coffee breaks
• Social dinners
   

630€

This fee includes:

• Scientific sessions
• Post-event webinars
• Conference materials
• Lunches and coffee breaks
• Social Dinners
• Accommodation at the conference venue on September 10th and 11th
   

Full Registration: from June 1st

 

390€

This fee includes:

• Scientific sessions
• Post-event webinars
• Conference materials
• Lunches and coffee breaks
• Social dinners
   

690€

This fee includes:

• Scientific sessions
• Post-event webinars
• Conference materials
• Lunches and coffee breaks
• Social Dinners
• Accommodation at the conference venue on September 10th and 11th
   

ACCREDITATION

This educational activity will be submitted to the EACCME for CME accreditation.

The programme has been also accredited for in-person participants by the Italian Ministry of Health by the CME provider SMM srl (Id. 5129) as follows:

 

 Event number: 453767  - CME Credits: 17

 

SCIENTIFIC ORGANISERS:

Gerola A. Marfia and Doriana Landi

Tor Vergata University

MS Centre

Policlinico of Tor Vergata

Rome, Italy

 

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

 

Day 1

 

13.50  Welcome and Introduction

G.A. Marfia (Italy), D. Landi (Italy)

 

14.00 Keynote lecture: Genetics and Genomics of Multiple Sclerosis: State of the Art and New Direction

G.Novelli (Italy)

 

Session 1        Epidemiology of pregnancy and Maternal Outcomes

Chairs: G.A. Marfia (Italy), R. Palladino (Italy)

           

14.30             Disease and Pregnancy Outcomes in MS: Past and Present

K. Hellwig (Germany)

14.50             Pregnancy in MS as a Statistical Model: Complexity, Limitations, New approaches

 F. Bovis (Italy)

15.10             Discussion

15.30             Coffee Break

 

 

Session 2        Immunology of pregnancy

Chairs: D. Landi (Italy), D. Centonze (Italy)

 

16.00          Female hormone dynamics during pregnancy and postpartum

L. Airas (Finland)

16.20  Immunology of Pregnancy and Postpartum in MS and antibody mediated autoimmune neurological conditions

M. Severa (Italy)

16.40  Infectious Risk, passive immunization and maternal and infantile vaccinations in MS and antibody mediated autoimmune neurological diseases

 M. Iannetta (Italy)

17.00           Discussion

17.20            Clinical Case Workshop

Chairs: D. Landi (Italy), I. Pisani (Italy)

 

18.20 - End of Day 1

 

 

 

Day 2

 

Session 3        DMTs management during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Chairs: D. Landi (Italy), Faculty to be announced

 

09.00 Family planning and management of DMTs: current treatment guidelines

G.A. Marfia (Italy)

09.20 Pregnancy Registries and Pharmacovigilance: Opportunities and Limitations

Faculty to be announced

09.40 Breastfeeding: Implications for Mother and Child

E.Portaccio (Italy)

10.00           Discussion

 

 

Session 4           Obstetric management and offspring outcomes

                            Chairs: G.Marfia (Italy), E. Portaccio (Italy)

 

10.20   Obstetric management and complications in MS and antibody-mediated disorders       

  I. Pisani (Italy)

 10.40 DMTs exposure and fetal outcomes in MS and antibody-mediated disorders

  K.Hellwig (Germany)

11.00 - Long-Term Data and Neurodevelopmental Anomalies in Children Born to Mothers with MS

M. Siracusano (Italy)

11.20  Discussion

11.40           Coffee Break

 

 

Session 5        Fertility and MS

Chairs: G.A. Marfia (Italy), P. Anserini (Italy)

 

12.00  Male and Female Fertility in MS and antibodies – mediated diseases: The Role of Autoimmunity

C. Massarotti (Italy)

12.20  Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART): procedures and opportunities

C. Alviggi (Italy)

12.40 Maternal and Pregnancy Clinical Outcomes in Women with MS undergoing ART

D. Landi (Italy)

13.00           Discussion

13.20            Lunch

14.20             Clinical Case Workshop

Chairs: D. Landi (Italy), C. Massarotti (Italy)

 

Session 6        Psychological and Social Impact of Pregnancy in MS

Chairs: D. Landi (Italy), C. Niolu (Italy)

 

15.20    The Symbolic and Social Meaning of Pregnancy for Women with MS and Their Partners, and Couple Dynamics in MS

 A. Esu (Italy)

15.40 Impact of MS on Family Functioning

 L. Castelli (Italy)

16.00             Discussion

16.20           Coffee Break

16.40 -            Clinical Case Workshop

Chairs: D. Landi (Italy), A. Esu (Italy)

 

17.40 - End of Day 2

 

 

 

Day 3

 

Session 7        Pregnancy in Antibody-Mediated neurological diseases

Chairs: R. Iorio (Italy), C. Tortorella (Italy)

 

9.00     Reproductive health in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

E. Elefante (Italy)

9.20     Dynamic of maternal-fetal antibody transfer during pregnancy: implications for neonatal diseases and protections from infections

P. Palma (Italy)

9.40    Maternal-Fetal Outcomes in Women with NMOsd and MOGAD

Faculty to be announced

10.00   Maternal-Fetal Outcomes in Women with Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

S. Hoffman (Germany)

10.20         Discussion

10.40   Clinical Case Workshop

Chairs: D. Landi (Italy), S. Hoffman (Germany), L. Carbone (Italy)

11.40           Coffee Break

 

Session 8        Management Models

Chair:  G. Marfia (Italy)

 

12:00          Round Table The Maternity Care Unit in autoimmune neurological disorders: state of the art in Europe and initiatives to improve the model

C. Oreja-Guevara (Spain)/K.Hellwig (Germany) / D. Landi (Italy)/S.Hoffman (Germany)

13.00  Conclusions

13.30  Closing Lunch

 

Follow Up Online modules 

Two different learning appointments, dedicated only to the in-person Masterclass attendees. Each workshop will focus on specific topics. During the sessions participants will have the opportunity to practice, acquire knowledge and competences by sharing their clinical cases and discussing their approach with experts.

November 5, 2025

Online Module n. 1

Chairs: D.Landi (Italy), G.Marfia (Italy)

 

December 4, 2025

Online Module n. 2

Chairs: D.Landi (Italy), G.Marfia (Italy)

 

Diplomas will be delivered to attendees at the end of the educational Pathway.