Autoimmune diseases in pregnancy. The obstetrician's view

Often patients with recurrent pregnancy complications will show evidence of autoimmune disease but without significant criteria to allow a specific diagnosis. These patients should be treated as high risk pregnancies. In the following article we will review the interaction between certain collagen vascular diseases and gestation. We will also outline a strategy for how the obstetrician should care for these patients. We shall also look at the treatment of these disorders and the effect of these medications on the developing fetus. To maximize maternal and neonatal outcome it is imperative that obstetrician, rheumatologist, and pediatrician work together for the benefit of the patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a collagen vascular disease.