Maternal Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Neonatal Outcomes: A Tertiary Single Center Hospital Experience in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women of childbearing age. SLE is associated with many maternal and neonatal morbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neonatal outcomes of infants born to mothers with SLE.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included data on 57 Turkish mother-infant pairs over a 10-year period. Demographic data of the newborns and the presence of neonatal morbidities such as cardiovascular, hematological involvement, and congenital anomalies were the primary outcomes of the study.

RESULTS

The median maternal age and gestational age at delivery were 30 (22-43) years and 37.6 (24.1-40.9) weeks, respectively. Thirteen (22.8%) of the mothers were primigravid and 59.6% (n = 34) of the deliveries were by cesarean section. Anti-Ro, anti-La, and anti-dsDNA autoantibodies were present in 38.6% (n = 22) of the mothers. Only one woman developed pre-eclampsia. Nine (15.8%) of the newborns were preterm, 8 (14%) were intrauterine growth restricted. The mean birth weight of the infants was 2846 (675-4240) grams. Three infants (5.2%) required resuscitation in the delivery room. One infant (1.8%) developed a complete atrioventricular block and 1 (1.8%) had esophageal atresia. None of the infants developed the typical rash of neonatal lupus.

CONCLUSIONS

SLE is an important systemic disease that can complicate pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Optimal multidisciplinary antenatal care of the mother is essential to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.