Management of Pregnancy in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) predominantly affects women of childbearing age, and the management of pregnant patients with SLE is challenging because pregnancy can aggravate SLE and vice versa. Furthermore, the drugs used to treat SLE can adversely affect the fetus. Accordingly, pregnancy should be planned in advance in women with lupus, and careful planning and treatment are required to care for women with lupus who become pregnant. This article reviews the pre-pregnancy evaluation and management of pregnant women with SLE with the aim of providing general guidelines to physicians regarding the monitoring and treatment of women with SLE that want to become pregnant.