Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Pregnancy: A Brief Review.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects young women of childbearing age group. There is a complex immunologic interplay during pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The pregnancy has direct impact on the disease where an increased rate of flares is noted, and lupus leads to increased risk of hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, preterm birth as well as miscarriages, particularly those with antiphospholipid antibodies.