Lupus and Pregnancy: Complex Yet Manageable

• Published in: Clinical medicine & research Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 310 - 321
• Main Authors: Dhar, Josephine Patricia, Sokol, Robert J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Marshfield Clinic 01.12.2006; 2006. Clinical Medicine & Research
• Subjects: Female; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Literature Reviews; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - diagnosis; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - therapy; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Monitoring, Physiologic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - diagnosis; Pregnancy Complications - therapy
• ISSN: 1539-4182; 1554-6179
• DOI: 10.3121/cmr.4.4.310

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic multi-system autoimmune disease that occurs predominantly in women of childbearing age. The risk of complications and adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant women with lupus is high. Moreover, pregnancy can cause flares of lupus disease activity necessitating maternal immunosuppressive intervention. Interestingly, many potential complications of pregnancy present as symptoms of lupus making diagnosis and treatment a challenge. Advancing technology and better understanding of the maternal-fetal dyad in lupus have improved outcomes in lupus pregnancies over the last 40 years. This article will briefly review the important issues in pregnancies complicated by lupus and provide a general guideline to physicians for monitoring and treatment.