title: Lupus activity in pregnancy.
abstract: Pregnancy in a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be complicated by both lupus activity and pregnancy mishaps. The majority of recent studies found an increase in lupus activity during pregnancy, perhaps exacerbated by hormonal shifts required to maintain pregnancy. Increased lupus activity, in turn, prompts an elevated risk for poor pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, and preeclamspsia. Fortunately, the majority of pregnancies in women with SLE are successful. However, the interaction between pregnancy and SLE activity can lead to complications for both mother and baby.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3535 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710, USA. megan.clowse@duke.edu
authors.forename: Megan E B
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Clowse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine