title: Survey of antimalarial use in lupus pregnancy and lactation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To obtain the experience of selected experts in the use of antimalarial drugs (AM) in pregnancy and lactation in systemic lupus erythematosus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-eight lupus experts identified from North America and UK were mailed a 19 question survey regarding their experience using AM in pregnancy and lactation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 52 (67%) respondents with usable questionnaires treated a median of 75 lupus patients/year, including 4-5 lupus pregnancies/year. Thirty-five (69%) continued AM sometimes, often, or always during pregnancy. Continuing AM increased with the number of pregnant lupus patients seen (p < 0.01). None reported having seen any fetal toxicity with AM use, and pregnancy was never terminated because of AM, other than at patient insistence (n = 1). Postpartum, 29 (63%) continued AM and advised breast-feeding. Responses were consistent among North American and UK experts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of lupus experts continue AM during pregnancy. This was particularly true for those who treated a larger number of pregnant lupus patients per year. The majority advise breast-feeding and continue AM postpartum. These practices are supported by the limited literature available.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis Research Centre of Canada and Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
authors.forename: Adeeba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Herz
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schulzer
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Esdaile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016239:MEDLINE; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009656:North America; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials