Takayasu arteritis in pregnancy: an analysis from eastern India

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Takayasu's Arteritis (TA) is a rare inflammatory condition affecting medium and large arteries, predominantly in women of reproductive age.
• Pregnancy in women with TA presents unique challenges due to the potential for disease exacerbation and complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the antenatal management strategies for pregnant women with Takayasu's Arteritis.
• To analyze the obstetric and neonatal outcomes in women diagnosed with TA.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study conducted between June 2002 and July 2010.
• Comparison of 16 patients with 29 pregnancy events against 60 matched controls.

Main Results:

• High incidence of maternal complications including pregnancy-induced hypertension (100%), preeclampsia (92.85%), postpartum hemorrhage (17.24%), and preterm labor (17.24%).
• Significant neonatal complications observed: intrauterine growth restriction (51.72%) and NICU admissions (58.62%).
• Cesarean delivery was the predominant mode of delivery (71.49%).

Conclusions:

• Antenatal and intrapartum blood pressure control is crucial for favorable pregnancy outcomes in women with TA.
• A multidisciplinary approach involving timely admission and judicious medication is essential for managing complex pregnancies.
• Successful pregnancy outcomes are achievable despite hypertension and its sequelae with appropriate medical intervention.