Outcome of pregnancy in Takayasu arteritis

Of 124 patients with Takayasu arteritis studied over a period of 20 years ( 1979-1999), 12 female patients experienced 24 pregnancies. The mean age was 23.6+/-3.6 years. The presenting features during pregnancy were severe hyp ertension (11 patients), congestive heart failure (two patients) and unequa l pulses (one patient). Aortography revealed that abdominal aorta was invol ved in 11 patients and renal arteries in nine patients. Of 17 live babies b orn, intrauterine growth retardation was present in five babies and prematu re deliveries were encountered in four patients. Pregnancies resulted in ab ortion in two patients and intrauterine death in five patients. Maternal co mplications included superimposed pre-eclampsia in four patients, congestiv e heart failure and progression of renal insufficiency in two patients each and post partum sepsis in one patient. All patients with poor perinatal ou tcome had abdominal aortic involvement and a significant delay in seeking m edical attention. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserve d.