Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease predominantly affecting women of childbearing age, which may negatively influence the pregnancy course and outcomes. The objective of the study was to estimate the risk of fetal loss and prematurity in lupus patients. These data seem to be an important component of family counselling in lupus patients.
Design: The pregnancies' course and outcomes in lupus patients and in healthy controls were compared.
Material and methods: 47 lupus patients with pregnancies occurring after the diagnosis of SLE and 108 healthy controls were included in this study. The pregnancies were analysed in terms of delivery term and outcomes (live births/ miscarriage/ neonatal deaths/ congenital defects). The structured review and case histories analysis were used to gather the data.
Results: The percentage of spontaneous abortions (24.1%) and preterm deliveries (24.1%) were significantly higher in lupus patients when compared with healthy controls (9.3% and 5.3% respectively).
Conclusions: The caution in pregnancy planning in lupus patients is necessary and the role of physicians' information in patients' awareness of fetal loss and prematurity is vital.