SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS AND PREGNANC Y

Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, that prim arily affects women of childbearing age. Worsening of SLE is uncommon during pregnancy. The course of the pregnancy depends on activity of t he disease at time of conception. There should be evidence that the sy stemic disease is in complete remission for at least 6 months or more. A prophylactic therapy with prednisone in pregnant patients with SLE is not justified. When SLE is exacerbating, immunosuppressive therapy with prednisone or if needed in combination with azathioprine should b e administered. For high titers of antiphospholipid antibody a treatme nt with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid or in case of previous spontaneo us thrombosis, a combination therapy with heparin are recommended. Act ive SLE nephritis represents a relative or even absolute contraindicat ion, depending on the clinical course. For monitoring the activity of the disease repeated determinations of complement proteins CH50, C3, C 4 and C3d are helpful.