Systemic lupus erythematosus

• Published in: BMJ Vol. 335; no. 7626; pp. 933 - 936
• Main Authors: Mackillop, Lucy H, Germain, Sarah J, Nelson-Piercy, Catherine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Medical Journal Publishing Group 03.11.2007; British Medical Association; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
• Edition: International edition
• Series: Pregnancy Plus
• Subjects: Adult; Analgesics - therapeutic use; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Counseling; Disease management; Female; Fetal Diseases - diagnosis; General aspects; Humans; Immune system; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Infant mortality; Lupus; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - therapy; Medical sciences; Medical treatment; Practice; Preconception Care - methods; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - therapy; Prenatal Care - methods; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Medicine; Immunopathology; Connective tissue disease; Skin disease; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Systemic disease; Autoimmune disease
• ISSN: 0959-8138; 0959-8146; 1756-1833; 1468-5833; 1756-1833
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.39358.519491.AD

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem relapsing and remitting autoimmune disease. The management of this condition in pregnancy provides the obstetrician, physician, and general practitioner with particular challenges and concerns related to the mother and her baby. Here, Mackillop et al discuss these challenges and talks about how pregnancy affect SLE and vice versa. Moreover, they conclude that SLE and the overlap condition of the antiphospholipid syndrome present several challenges in managing a pregnant woman and her fetus. A successful pregnancy outcome depends on stratification of risk at the outset (ideally before pregnancy) and careful and appropriate monitoring during the pregnancy. Should the disease flare up, aggressive but considered management is advocated to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity.