title: Problems associated with the management of pregnancies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Eighty-three percent of 24 pregnancies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus studied retrospectively terminated in normal children. Fifty-four percent of patients had clinical and serological disease exacerbations during pregnancy or in the post-partum period, as contrasted with 4% in the 6 months prior to pregnancy. The presence of significant renal disease and SLE activity in the 6 months prior to pregnancy correlated with exacerbations. A distinction between pre-eclamptic toxemia and lupus exacerbation had to be made in 25% of our patients. There were 2 maternal deaths associated with uncontrolled lupus activity. No potentially viable infants died for reasons directly related to lupus activity.
mesh_terms: D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005328:Fetal Viability; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D004247:DNA; D011239:Prednisolone