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Updated: May 29, 2026
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Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic autoimmunity
Valentina Canti1, Maria Teresa Castiglioni, Susanna Rosa
1Innate Immunity and Tissue Remodeling Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Autoimmunity
|August 31, 2011
Summary
Strict follow-up improves pregnancy outcomes for autoimmune patients, significantly reducing complications and increasing live birth rates. However, outcomes for antiphospholipid syndrome/systemic lupus erythematosus patients remain poor.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Maternal systemic autoimmune diseases (SAIDs) impact on pregnancy outcomes is not well-defined.
- Previous pregnancy complication rates in SAID patients were high (50.6%) with a low live-birth rate (43.4%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze pregnancy outcomes in 181 women with various autoimmune conditions.
- To compare outcomes with previous obstetrical history and assess the impact of prospective follow-up.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 221 pregnancies in 181 autoimmune patients over 9 years.
- Categorization into primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), antiphospholipid syndrome/rheumatic disease (APS/RD), other rheumatic diseases (RD), isolated autoantibodies (aAbs), and reactive arthritis/spondyloarthropathies.
- Comparison of pregnancy complication rates and live-birth rates before and during the study period.
Main Results:
- Overall pregnancy complications dropped from 50.6% to 28.2% with prospective follow-up, and live-birth rates increased to 87.3%.
- Mean neonatal weight was 3018g, mean gestational age was 38.17 weeks; 10.4% preterm delivery, 10.9% low birth weight.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome/rheumatic disease patients, particularly those with APS/systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), experienced worse outcomes including miscarriage, growth restriction, and very preterm delivery (mean GA 30.8 weeks).
Conclusions:
- Strict follow-up and targeted treatments significantly improve pregnancy outcomes for most autoimmune patients (PAPS, SLE, aAbs).
- Pregnancy outcomes in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus (APS/SLE) remain unsatisfactory and require further investigation and improved management strategies.
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