Pregnancy, lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (Hughes syndrome)

Lupus. 2006;15(3):156-60. doi: 10.1191/0961203306lu2279rr.

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases (AD) occur frequently in women during their childbearing years and may influence pregnancy outcome and neonatal health. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can experience a disease flare-up during pregnancy with potential negative effects on the product of conceptus, especially if the disease is active. Recurrent pregnancy loss is now considered as a treatable clinical condition associated with the presence of circulating antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). The neonatal lupus syndromes (NLS), caused by the transplacental passage of maternal IgG anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B antibodies to the fetus, carry significant morbidity and mortality in case of cardiac manifestations. Immunosuppressive agents are often administered during pregnancy in order to control maternal disease and to ensure a better pregnancy outcome. Nowadays, owing to our increasing knowledge of the disease pathophysiological mechanisms and the development of combined medical-obstetric clinics, pregnancy outcome in patients with AD has notably improved.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / complications*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / therapy
  • Female
  • Heart Block / congenital*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / therapy
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • SS-A antibodies