Outcome of pregnancy in Takayasu arteritis

Of 124 patients with Takayasu arteritis studied over a period of 20 years (1979-1999), 12 female patients experienced 24 pregnancies. The mean age was 23.6+/-3.6 years. The presenting features during pregnancy were severe hypertension (11 patients), congestive heart failure (two patients) and unequal pulses (one patient). Aortography revealed that abdominal aorta was involved in 11 patients and renal arteries in nine patients. Of 17 live babies born, intrauterine growth retardation was present in five babies and premature deliveries were encountered in four patients. Pregnancies resulted in abortion in two patients and intrauterine death in five patients. Maternal complications included superimposed pre-eclampsia in four patients, congestive heart failure and progression of renal insufficiency in two patients each and post partum sepsis in one patient. All patients with poor perinatal outcome had abdominal aortic involvement and a significant delay in seeking medical attention.