We reviewed the obstetrical performance and outcome of 15 pregnancies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (study group) and compared them with 45 age and parity-matched normal pregnancies (control group). Eleven women (73.8%) were in remission phase and 4 (26.7%) had active disease at the time of conception. The time interval between disease diagnosis and the index pregnancy was 4.2 +/- 2.5 years. Two patients with renal involvement had lupus flare-up during the antenatal period. There was no case of lupus flare-up in the postpartum period. Gestational age at delivery was significantly lower in SLE patients (35.9 +/- 2.5 weeks) compared to the control group (37.4 +/- 2.2 weeks). The incidence of intrauterine growth retardation was significantly higher in the SLE patients (40%). There was no case of neonatal lupus or congenital heart block.