Clinical predictors of fetal and maternal outcome in systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective study of 103 pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to assess the outcome of pregnancy in a cohort of patients with SLE and to evaluate clinical and laboratory markers for fetal outcome and maternal flares.


METHODS
Sixty patients with 103 pregnancies were evaluated prospectively between 1984 and 1999.


RESULTS
There were 68 live births, 15 spontaneous abortions, 12 stillbirths and eight therapeutic abortions. Of liveborn infant births, 19 were premature, 24 had suffered intrauterine growth restriction and one had neonatal lupus. Maternal lupus flares occurred in 33% of pregnancies, mostly in the second trimester (26%) and in the post-partum period (51%). Flares during pregnancy showed a statistically significant association with discontinuation of chloroquine treatment, a history of more than three flares before gestation, and a SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index) score of >or=5 in these flares. Antiphospholipid antibodies, C3 hypocomplementaemia and hypertension during pregnancy were significantly associated with fetal loss, prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with more active SLE and those with aPL antibodies and hypertension should be monitored and managed carefully during pregnancy.
Cortés-Hernández
J
J
Departments of Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and. Paediatrics, Vall d'Hebron Hospitals, Barcelona, Spain.
Ordi-Ros
J
J
Paredes
F
F
Casellas
M
M
Castillo
F
F
Vilardell-Tarres
M
M
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D003176:Complement C3