title: Systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy: a prospective study.
abstract: We have prospectively followed 25 pregnancies in 21 patients: 20 were affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 1 by subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). A flexible treatment schedule was applied to the follow-up of all the pregnancies, and included low dose aspirin, steroids at medium-low dosage and, if needed, azathioprine (AZA) after 20 weeks of gestation. There were 4 spontaneous first trimester abortions and 21 live-born neonates without major problems related to the treatment or to the maternal disease. The relapse rate of the disease recorded during the observation period was 0.07 patient/month, not different from that already reported in SLE patients (pregnant or nonpregnant). Obstetrical complications were relatively frequent, but careful monitoring allowed us to avoid late fetal wastage. We conclude that in SLE patients a successful pregnancy outcome, without worsening of the disease, can be obtained with a careful multidisciplinary follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Immunology Unit, Brescia General Hospital, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tincani
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Faden
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarantini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lojacono
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tanzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gastaldi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Mario
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spatola
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balestrieri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids; D001379:Azathioprine; D001241:Aspirin