. However, patients with ankylosing
spondylitis are not markedly affected by pregnancy. In case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), pregnancy could result in the disease remaining active or in a flare up of the disease.
The fetus may also suffer from complications of lupus including congenital
heart disease due to spread of antibodies from the mother to the fetus. Primary
anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) could result in recurrent pregnancy
losses. The prognosis however has improved with the use of low dose aspirin and
anticoagulation. SLE and APS also increase the risk of pre-eclampsia in the
mother. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) could result in premature delivery of the
fetus, though patients with stable and mild disease could have an uneventful
pregnancy. Patients with vasulitis like Behcet's syndrome, Takayasu arteritis
and Churg-Strauss syndrome usually have a successful pregnancy and delivery if
the disease is well controlled.
.
The prediction about the status of pregnancy outcome
(like fetal growth retardation, pre eclampsia) and their relation with
rheumatic diseases is being studied in the
PROMISSE (predictors of pregnancy
outcome: biomarkers in antiphospholipid syndrome and systemic lupus
erythematosus) study.
Preconceptional counseling as well as
well-coordinated medical and obstetric care is essential for improving the
outcomes of pregnancy in patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. The
aftermaths of the rheumatic disorders as well as of the medications taken for
the disease on children also requires adequate attention.
Source: Pregnancy and Reproduction
in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease. Monika Ostensen; Antonio Brucato; Howard Carp;
Christina Chambers; Radboud J. E. M. Dolhain; et al. Rheumatology
2011;50(4):657-664.
Source: Medindia
