Complications of Pregnancy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

MOHAMED H. SHEHATA, M.D., NAHLA H. AHMED, M.Sc.;; DALIA G. AMIN, M.D., EMAN A. HUSSEIN, M.D.;

doi:10.21608/mjcu.2022.253186

Complications of Pregnancy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

The Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology* and Clinical & Chemical Pathology**, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

10.21608/mjcu.2022.253186

Abstract

Abstract Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) repre-sents one of the most significant diseases in all of medicine, predominantly targeting young women in their childbearing years. The adverse perinatal outcomes resulting from SLE are believed to occur as a consequence of immunological alterations in the placenta. Preterm birth is the most common obstetric complication in women with SLE. Aim of Study: To detect maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnancies complicated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 56 pregnant patients known as systemic lupus erythematosus coming for antenatal care in the period from June 2015 till June 2016 at high risk department of Kasr El-Eini Hospital, Cairo University. We recorded both maternal and neonatal outcomes for these patients. Results: Abortion was found in 10.7% of cases, preterm labor in 41.1%, fetal growth restriction in 21.4%, low birth weight (less than 2.5kg) in 28.5% and 3 neonates were admitted to neonatal ICU. There was no maternal mortality. There were 3 cases (5.4%) with postpartum flare as (nephritis) all of them had consumed C3 and C4. Conclusion: Pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients represents a challenge to ensure safety of both mother and fetus as it carries a high risk for both of them.

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