Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pregnancies

Ann Acad Med Singap. 2020 Dec;49(12):963-970. doi: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2020373.

Abstract

Introduction: To describe the maternal and fetal outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pregnancies followed-up in a single tertiary referral centre.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 75 SLE pregnancies who were followed up in Singapore General Hospital over a 16-year period from 2000 to 2016. Adverse fetal and maternal outcomes including preterm delivery, miscarriages, fetal growth restriction, congenital heart block, neonatal lupus, pre-eclampsia and SLE flares were obtained from the medical records.

Results: The mean age at conception was 32 years old (SD 3.8). The mean SLE disease duration was 5.9 years (SD 5.2). The majority (88%) had quiescent SLE disease activity at baseline. Most pregnancies resulted in a live birth (74.7%). The mean gestational age at birth was 37.4 weeks (SD 3.4). Adverse fetal outcomes occurred in 53.3%. Preterm delivery (33.9%), miscarriages (20%) and fetal growth restriction (17.3%) were the most frequent adverse fetal outcomes. There was 1 neonatal death and SLE flares occurred in a third (33%). In the subgroup of SLE pregnancies with antiphospholipid syndrome, there were higher SLE flare rates (40%) and adverse fetal outcomes occurred in 8 pregnancies (80%). There were no predictive factors identified for all adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. In the subgroup analysis of preterm delivery, anti-Ro (SS-A) antibody positivity and hydroxychloroquine treatment were associated with a lower risk of preterm delivery.

Conclusion: Although the majority had quiescent SLE disease activity at baseline, SLE pregnancies were associated with high rates of adverse fetal and maternal outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Singapore / epidemiology