New study into Lupus in pregnancy

A recent study of 13,598 Swedish women in their first pregnancy has revealed that lupus during pregnancy may have negative health impacts for women and their babies.

Lupus is a complex autoimmune condition which affects many parts of the body. It is estimated that there are around 15,000 sufferers in England and Wales with 90% of cases occurring in women.

The study, published in Arthritis care & Research found that pregnant women with lupus had an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, hypothyroid disease, stroke and infection. Of the pregnant women with lupus, 16% were diagnosed with pre-eclampsia compared with the 5% of the general population.  Risks to infants, including preterm birth, infection and mortality, were worse for those born to mothers with lupus.

Researchers are hoping the findings will help towards a greater understanding lupus and also of pre-eclampsia and preterm birth more generally.

For more information on Lupus, read the NHS page here

 
For more on the research see here