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The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
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Published on: November 1, 2015

Neurodevelopment in the offspring of Japanese systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Naomi Yoshikawa1, Kyoko Tanaka, Mariko Sekigawa

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. nao0213@gc5.so-net.ne.jp

Brain & Development
|July 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pregnancies often result in preterm birth and growth restriction. Children of mothers with anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies may show lower cognitive scores, necessitating prospective neurodevelopmental monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Pediatrics
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect pregnancy outcomes.
  • Maternal autoantibodies, such as anti-Ro/SS-A and antiphospholipid antibodies, can impact fetal development and offspring neurodevelopment.
  • Previous studies have shown an association between SLE and adverse pregnancy outcomes, but data on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate pregnancy outcomes in women with SLE.
  • To assess the neuropsychological development of children born to mothers with SLE.
  • To investigate the influence of maternal autoantibodies (anti-Ro/SS-A and antiphospholipid antibodies) on pregnancy and offspring neurodevelopment.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients from 1989 to 2006.
  • Neuropsychological assessment of offspring using Bayley Scales of Infant Development and Kauffmann Assessment Battery for Children.
  • Analysis of the association between maternal autoantibodies and pregnancy outcomes/offspring neurodevelopmental scores.

Main Results:

  • High rates of preterm delivery (24.7%), low birth weight (30.9%), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (19.7%) were observed in SLE pregnancies.
  • Children of mothers with anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies had significantly lower gestational age, birth weight, and cognitive processing scores.
  • Maternal antiphospholipid antibodies were associated with an increased rate of IUGR but not other pregnancy or neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Preterm delivery and IUGR are common in SLE pregnancies, underscoring the need for careful disease management during gestation.
  • Prospective evaluation of neurodevelopment in children born to mothers with anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies is recommended.
  • While antiphospholipid antibodies are linked to IUGR, anti-Ro/SS-A antibodies appear to have a more significant impact on offspring neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Abstract

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