[Lupus erythematosus in pregnancy. A prospective study]

The maternal and fetal outcome in 20 patients with lupus erythematosus in pregnancy was studied prospectively. The conditions of the patients were: remission in 4 patients, inactive (controlled by 10 mg prednisone for at least 6 months) 11, active 5 (active disease while pregnancy 3 and first onset and diagnosis during pregnancy 2). There were no maternal death, fetal loss or still birth in full pregnancy course. But the intrauterine malnutrition, low placenta weight and low body weight of newborns were significantly associated with active maternal disease (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). We conclude that (1) family planning pregnancy should be planned in a period while the active disease has been well controlled with a small dose of corticosteroids for at least 6 months. (2) carefully monitoring of the disease activity at intra- and post-partum is essential to lupus patient for a successful birth.