Nutritional consequences of chronic maternal conditions during pregnancy and lactation: lupus and diabetes.

Few treated chronic conditions preclude the ability of a mother to conceive. However, consequences of the condition may undermine the pregnancy or aggravate maternal disease. Most chronic conditions require nutritional intervention beyond the normal needs of pregnancy. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are two common autoimmune disorders that affect women of childbearing age. Little has been published about the long-term consequences of current medication regimens for SLE and their interactions with either nutrient metabolism or requirements. More information is available on macronutrient dietary needs and metabolism during pregnancy and lactation in women with IDDM, but little is published about the metabolism of other nutrients in this condition. Thus, the nutritional consequences of treating these diseases during pregnancy and lactation must be evaluated continually.