Pregnancy in systemic lupus erythematosus

Issues concerning contraception, fertility, and pregnancy usually arise during a typical lupus patient's disease course. Pregnancy superimposed on established lupus may alter the course of the disease, and, conversely, lupus may affect the natural history of pregnancy. Two recently described autoantibody markers, anti-SSA (Ro) and anticardiolipin, have provided new insights concerning fetal risks in these patients. Furthermore, they should lead to improved understanding of mechanisms of tissue injury and to new ideas about therapeutic interventions and/or prevention of pregnancy complications.