[Systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy].

In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in remission pregnancy has a good prognosis for mother and foetus. Pregnancy does not have a negative effect on systemic lupus erythematosus in remission, either in the short or the long term. Immuno-regulatory drugs should not be withdrawn before or after start of pregnancy, and flares during pregnancy can be treated with steroids and/or azathioprine. The risk of flare is very high in the puerperium, and can be prevented by steroids. All patients are at high risk of losing the foetus, particularly patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. Patients at high risk should be given low doses of aspirin (80 mg daily) from the first day of pregnancy. Neonatal lupus and congenital heart block are rare, and are associated with the presence of anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies in the maternal blood.