New insights into pregnancy-related complications in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Overview

Pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presents an additional risk to an already complex clinical situation--overlap in symptoms between changes of pregnancy and SLE, presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, and need for potentially teratogenic medications can all complicate the management of pregnant patients with SLE. Studies demonstrate that, with careful planning, the majority of patients with lupus can complete pregnancy without serious complications. Recent developments are modified instruments to measure disease activity in pregnancy, increasingly common continuation of hydroxychloroquine during pregnancy, more frequent use of in vitro fertilization, and more aggressive fetal monitoring in patients positive for anti-Sjögren's syndrome (SS)-A/Ro or anti- SS-B/La antibody.