Caesarean section in a case of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease most frequently found in women of child bearing age and may co-exist with pregnancy. Disease exacerbation, increased foetal loss, neonatal lupus and an increased incidence of pre-eclampsia are the major challenges. Its multisystem involvement and therapeutic interventions like anticoagulants, steroids and immunosuppressive agents pose a high risk for both surgery and anaesthesia. We describe successful management of an antinuclear antibody (ANA) positive parturient with bad obstetric history who underwent elective caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.