Management of Pregnancy in Lupus Patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mostly affects young women of reproductive age group. SLE patients may conceive as any normal woman but complication may occur in these patients if the disease is active. Pregnancy in SLE may lead to 1. Aggravation of SLE (Lupus flare) 2. Pre-term delivery, intrauterine growth retardation and foetal loss (in presence of antiphospholipid antibodies) 3. Neonatal lupus especially in presence of Anti-Ro / La antibody. For a successful pregnancy, both from maternal and foetal aspects, disease should be quiescent for at least six months before the conception. Lupus patients with pregnancy require specific management to improve the maternal and fetal outcomes. Many safe drugs are available for the management of pregnancy in SLE.