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Autoimmune Disorders During Pregnancy

By

Lara A. Friel

, MD, PhD, University of Texas Health Medical School at Houston, McGovern Medical School

Reviewed/Revised Nov 2023
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Topic Resources
Autoimmune Disorders
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Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome, which causes blood clots to form too easily or excessively, can cause the following during pregnancy:

To diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome, doctors

  • Ask about any unexplained stillbirths or miscarriages, premature births, or problems with blood clots

  • Do blood tests to detect antiphospholipid antibodies on at least two separate occasions

Based on this information, doctors can diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome.

If a woman has antiphospholipid syndrome, she is usually treated with anticoagulants and with low-dose aspirin during pregnancy and for 6 weeks after delivery. Such treatment can prevent blood clots and pregnancy complications from developing.

Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

In immune thrombocytopenia Overview of Thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia is a low number of platelets (thrombocytes) in the blood, which increases the risk of bleeding. Thrombocytopenia occurs when the bone marrow makes too few platelets or when... read more Overview of Thrombocytopenia , antibodies decrease the number of platelets (also called thrombocytes) in the bloodstream. Platelets are cell-like particles that help in the clotting process. Too few platelets (thrombocytopenia) can cause excessive bleeding in pregnant women and their babies.

If not treated during pregnancy, immune thrombocytopenia tends to become more severe.

The antibodies that cause the disorder may cross the placenta to the fetus. However, they rarely affect the platelet count in the fetus.

The fetus can usually be delivered vaginally.

Treatment of Immune Thrombocytopenia

  • Corticosteroids

  • Sometimes immune globulin, given intravenously

Corticosteroids, usually prednisone given by mouth, can increase the number (count) of platelets and thus improve blood clotting in pregnant women with immune thrombocytopenia. However, this improvement lasts in only about half of women. Also, prednisone increases the risk that the fetus will not grow as much as expected or will be born prematurely.

Women who have a dangerously low platelet count may be given high doses of immune globulin intravenously shortly before delivery. Immune globulin (antibodies obtained from the blood of people with a normal immune system) temporarily increases the platelet count and improves blood clotting. As a result, labor can proceed safely, and women can have a vaginal delivery without uncontrolled bleeding.

Pregnant women are given platelet transfusions only when the platelet count is so low that severe bleeding may occur or sometimes when cesarean delivery is needed.

Rarely, when the platelet count remains dangerously low despite treatment, doctors remove the spleen, which normally traps and destroys old blood cells and platelets. The best time for this surgery is during the 2nd trimester.

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that impairs communication between nerves and muscles, resulting in episodes of muscle weakness. Myasthenia gravis results from malfunction of the... read more causes muscle weakness. Its effects during pregnancy and between pregnancies vary. Pregnant women may have more episodes of weakness. Thus, they may need to take higher doses of the medications (such as neostigmine) used to treat the disorder. These medications can have side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and increasing weakness. If these medications are ineffective, women may be given corticosteroids or medications that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants).

Some medications that are commonly used during pregnancy, such as magnesium, can make the weakness caused by myasthenia gravis worse. So women who have myasthenia gravis must make sure their doctors know they have it.

Very rarely during labor, women who have myasthenia gravis need help with breathing (assisted ventilation). Although vaginal delivery is recommended, women may require assistance, for example, with forceps.

The antibodies that cause this disorder can cross the placenta. Approximately one of five babies born to women with myasthenia gravis is born with the disorder. However, the resulting muscle weakness in the baby is usually temporary because the antibodies from the mother gradually disappear and the baby does not produce antibodies of this type.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis in which joints, usually including those of the hands and feet, are inflamed, resulting in swelling, pain, and often destruction of joints.... read more Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) may develop during pregnancy or, even more often, shortly after delivery. If rheumatoid arthritis is present before pregnancy, it may temporarily subside during pregnancy.

This disorder does not affect the fetus directly. However, if arthritis has damaged the hip joints or lower (lumbar) spine, delivery may be difficult for the woman, and cesarean delivery may be needed. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may lessen during pregnancy, but they usually return to their original level after pregnancy.

If a flare-up occurs during pregnancy, it is treated with prednisone (a corticosteroid). If prednisone is ineffective, a medication that suppresses the immune system (immunosuppressant) may be used.

A flare-up after pregnancy can make it more difficult for women with rheumatoid arthritis to take care of themselves and their infant.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)

Lupus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue disorder that can involve joints, kidneys, skin, mucous membranes, and blood vessel walls. Problems in the... read more Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) may appear for the first time, worsen, or become less severe during pregnancy. How a pregnancy affects the course of lupus cannot be predicted, but the most common time for flare-ups is immediately after delivery.

Problems related to lupus can be minimized if the following are done:

  • Women wait to become pregnant until the disorder has been inactive for 6 months.

  • The medications have been adjusted to control lupus as well as possible.

  • Blood pressure and kidney function are normal.

In pregnant women, lupus antibodies may cross the placenta to the fetus. As a result, the fetus may have a very slow heart rate, anemia, a low platelet count, or a low white blood cell count. However, these antibodies gradually disappear over several weeks after the baby is born, and the problems they cause resolve except for the slow heart rate.

If women with lupus were taking hydroxychloroquine before they became pregnant, they may take it throughout pregnancy. If flare-ups occur, women may need to take a low dose of prednisone (a corticosteroid) by mouth, another corticosteroid such as methylprednisolone given intravenously, or a medication that suppresses the immune system (immunosuppressant) such as azathioprine.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
Anacin Adult Low Strength, Aspergum, Aspir-Low, Aspirtab , Aspir-Trin , Bayer Advanced Aspirin, Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Aspirin Extra Strength, Bayer Aspirin Plus, Bayer Aspirin Regimen, Bayer Children's Aspirin, Bayer Extra Strength, Bayer Extra Strength Plus, Bayer Genuine Aspirin, Bayer Low Dose Aspirin Regimen, Bayer Womens Aspirin , BeneHealth Aspirin, Bufferin, Bufferin Extra Strength, Bufferin Low Dose, DURLAZA, Easprin , Ecotrin, Ecotrin Low Strength, Genacote, Halfprin, MiniPrin, St. Joseph Adult Low Strength, St. Joseph Aspirin, VAZALORE, Zero Order Release Aspirin, ZORprin
Deltasone, Predone, RAYOS, Sterapred, Sterapred DS
BLOXIVERZ, Prostigmin
Plaquenil, Quineprox
A-Methapred, Depmedalone-40, Depmedalone-80 , Depo-Medrol, Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, Solu-Medrol
Azasan, Imuran
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
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