Maternal and fetal outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus: analysis of 41 patients

To evaluate the outcomes of pregnancies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).A retrospective observation was made on 41 patients with SLE delivered in our hospital and the disease activity of the patients and neonatal conditions were followed up for one year after delivery. The impact of the disease duration, the use of cyclophosphamide, the highest systematic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score during the disease and the antepartum SLEDAI score to the outcome of delivery were analyzed.The disease duration of SLE was (3.5±3.1) years, the highest SLEDAI score during the disease was 10.6±3.1. The antepartum SLEDAI score was 6.2±1.6, the postpartum SLEDAI score was 6.4±2.9. The SLEDAI score in one year after delivery was 5.4±2.1, which in patients with disease duration more than 4 years was higher than that in patients with disease duration less than 4 years (P=0.03). All the deliveries were live births. The gestational age at birth was (37.6±3.3) weeks, and the body weight was (2 510.0±756.9) g. These figures were significantly lower than those of the healthy women (P=0.03 and P=0.008, respectively). Four (9.8%) newborns were diagnosed as neonatal lupus.The risks of premature and low weight baby rates are increased in patients with SLE. The proper timing of pregnancy and conception will improve pregnancy outcomes.PubMed02233-54