[Study on the time selection of pregnancy and delivery in women with systemic lupus erythematosus].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the appropriate time selection of pregnancy and delivery in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Twenty-nine pregnancies in women with SLE in our hospital from 1998 to 2003 were retrospectively analyzed regarding the selection of appropriate time of pregnancy and delivery.


RESULTS
All patients did not take any cytotoxic medicine for at least 6 months before pregnancy. Twenty-three conceptions occurred when SLE was inactive for at least 1 year. Two conceptions occurred when SLE was active without doctors' agreement. SLE was diagnosed during pregnancy in the remaining 4 cases. The condition of all patients fluctuated and the gestational time at delivery ranged from 30 to 38 weeks after we modified the doses of glucocorticoid (prednisone). Among totally 29 living neonates, eight were premature neonates, three were FGR and one had serious congenital heart disease. Two neonates died of complications in early stage of neonatal period. None of the 29 neonates from all patients had neonatal lupus.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy safety will be improved obviously if the condition of SLE is controlled and the patients are given reasonable doses of glucocorticoid and intensive monitoring. If pharmacotherapy does not work well and the condition threatens the safety of mother and fetus, or the fetus has matured, termination of pregnancy should be done on time, which reduces maternal complications and improves the perinatal mortality rate. The gestational time should be 34 to 38 weeks.
Ji
Xiang-hong
XH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong Province 266011, China.
Yu
Jin
J
Su
Hou-heng
HH
D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000628:therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D011241:Prednisone