Clinical analysis: 13 cases of pregnancy complicated with Takayasu arteritis

To investigate the clinical features, disposition, and effect of pregnancy complicated with Takayasu arteritis (P-TA) on maternal and fetal outcomes.

The clinical data (diagnosis and treatment, peri-pregnancy monitoring, and pregnancy outcomes) of patients with P-TA treated in our hospital between September 2007 and April 2016 were analyzed retrospectively.

Among the 13 P-TA cases, seven were diagnosed before pregnancy, and six were diagnosed during pregnancy; six cases were diagnosed as the generalized type, and seven cases were diagnosed as the cephalic-brachial type; six cases were in the stable stage, and seven cases were in the active stage. All the cases in the active stage underwent glucocorticoid therapy. Four cases developed complications, including cardiac dysfunction combined with preeclampsia in two cases, preeclampsia in one case, and stroke in one case. Eleven patients successfully delivered (nine cases of full-term delivery and two cases of premature delivery); one patient had late miscarriage; one patient had missed abortion. All the parturients survived and delivered 11 neonates (nine full-term neonates and two premature neonates) and one low-birth-weight neonate; no neonatal asphyxia or death occurred.

Patients with P-TA can have better maternal and child outcomes through timely diagnosis and treatment, dynamic monitoring, or timely pregnancy termination.