Pregnancy in lupus: an updated consensus to guide best practice strategies

Abstract

Abstract Background Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multifaceted chronic relapsing autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. The disease has always been a serious diagnosis in women being a multisystem pathology that is classically encountered during the childbearing age posing serious systemic comorbidities with a potential impact on the functional performance, psychosocial status, and survival. In this article, we review critical issues related to the decision to conceive in female with lupus highlighting the impact of the diagnosis and disease activity status on the mother and the fetus, attempting to suggest a consensus to guide safe decision making for pregnancy with SLE. Main body The pleomorphic dysregulated immune nature of lupus in the presence of uncontrolled disease carries a higher risk of complicated pregnancy. Therefore, SLE pregnancies should be well planned and are usually encouraged if the disease is inactive (at least 6 months prior to conception) to ensure immune quiescence towards a safer outcome. Conclusion With the proper implementation of preconception counseling strategy, choice of the correct timing of conception, close monitoring of SLE flares with tight control, and the appreciation of the value of multidisciplinary management to best practice most young women with SLE can carry on successful pregnancies with favorable outcome.

Keywords

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Immune response in pregnancy
• Pregnancy outcomes
• Risk
• Benefit
• In vitro fertilization