Pregnancy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients with Nephritis

Pregnancy in patients with lupus nephritis is a challenging clinical situation. Although not absolutely contraindicated, it is associated with increased risk for foetal and maternal complications, including foetal loss, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth retardation, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, nephritis flare, and, rarely, maternal death. The complication rate is further increased in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies or the antiphospholipid syndrome. Proliferative classes of nephritis (III and IV) also appear to confer excess risk for complications. Immunosuppressives such as cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate, and antihypertensives such as angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers need to be stopped due to teratogenic effects. Agents like corticosteroids, azathioprine, and probably calcineurin inhibitors are considered compatible with gestation. Lupus activity needs to be assessed and carefully monitored. Thrombotic risk due to antiphospholipid antibodies, thrombotic events, or nephrosis needs to be evaluated and managed accordingly, with the use of aspirin and/or unfractioned or low molecular weight heparin. Differentiating between severe pre-eclampsia and lupus nephritis flare might require a renal biopsy, which might not always be feasible, for example after the 32nd gestational week or in a setting of uncontrolled hypertension or thrombocytopaenia. A 6-month history of quiescent disease on non-teratogenic agents seems to be associated with best chance for favourable outcomes. Pregnancy is optimally managed by a multidisciplinary team of experienced specialists, and close monitoring for disease activity during gestation; additionally, follow-up for maternal flare postpartum is also advised.