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Impact of in utero environment on the offspring of lupus patientsSpedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy; Reumatologia e Immunologia Clinica, Ospedale Civile di Brescia, 25125 Brescia, Italy tincani{at}bresciareumatologia.it
Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
University of Lyon, France
Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
University Hospital-Padua, Padova, Italy
Ospedale Niguarda, Milan, Italy
IRCCS Ist. Auxologico University of Milan, Milan, Italy
The number of patients affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that decide to have children has greatly increased probably because of recent improvements in the diagnosis and management of the disease. This has stimulated our interest in defining the outcome of children, focusing both on neonatal problems and long term development. SLE patients still carry a risk of pregnancy loss. However, due to careful monitoring and treatment by a multidisciplinary team, the number of losses has dramatically decreased, but an increased number of preterm deliveries is still a problem. Neonatal lupus is linked to the presence of anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B antibodies in the mother, although other factors probably of fetal origin are important. Neonatal lupus is a complex condition whose most serious manifestation is the congenital heart block (CHB). Usually, children with complete CHB need permanent pacing, but apparently do not have neuropsychological problems. Studies focusing on the neuropsychological development of SLE offspring show an increased number of learning disabilities in children with normal intelligence levels. Fetal consequence of maternal treatment need to be considered choosing non teratogenic drugs, but the withdrawal of medications just because the patient is pregnant should be avoided to avoid SLE flares.
Key Words: antiphospholipidantibodies immunosuppressivedrugs learningdisabilities neonatallupus SLEpregnancy
Lupus, Vol. 15, No. 11,
801-807 (2006) This article has been cited by other articles:
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