#2172 Maternal, obstetric and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with lupus nephritis: experience of a tertiary center
Authors: Da Costa José Oliveira , Peres Nadiesda , Marchão Natália , Godinho Iolanda , Capela Susana , Centeno Mónica , Lopes José António , Pinto Luisa , Nogueira Estela 
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

Pregnant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) are at particular risk for unfavourable maternal, obstetric and perinatal outcomes, especially if the disease is active. Thus, it is of paramount importance that LN patients have preconceptional counseling in order to optimize care and define the best moment to conceive.

Method

Observational retrospective study based on the review of medical records of pregnant women with lupus nephritis surveilled at our multidisciplinary maternal-fetal clinic from 2011 to 2023.

Results

We evaluated 26 gestations in 24 patients. Mean age was 30,8 years (19-40), 21 women were Caucasian, 2 black African, 1 Asian; 10/24 were nulliparous and 6/24 had chronic hypertension (HTUN). Mean baseline SCr was 0,79 mg/dl (0.5-3.5), baseline proteinuria &gt; 1 g/day or &lt;0,5 g/day was present in 3/26 and 22/26 gestations, respectively. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 2, 3 and 5 was present in 1, 2 and 1 gestation respectively; 5/24 patients were APL positive; positive dsDNA and complement consumption at baseline were present in 4/26 and 12/26 gestations, with most patients previously having class IV LN (15/23).

Active lupus nephritis during pregnancy occurred in 3 patients: 2 were submitted to medical termination of pregnancy (due to severe pulmonary HTN and renal function deterioration) and 1 was successfully treated with tacrolimus, azathioprine and prednisolone from week 28, and biopsied postpartum. Exposure to teratogenic therapy during the 1st trimester occurred in 3/26 gestations with a mean exposure of 8,5 weeks.

Worsening kidney function occurred in 3/24 patients due to PE (1/26 CKD stage 3)/LN (1/26 stage CKD3)/pregnancy hyperfiltration (1/26 CKD stage CKD5), with partial and full renal recovery in 2 CKD stage 3 patients and dialysis initiation in the CKD stage 5 patient at 19 weeks (urea levels &gt; 100 mg/dL).

De novo proteinuria occurred in 3/24 patients (due to LN) and worsening proteinuria in 6/24 patients (PE 2/6; pregnancy hyperfiltration 4/6). De novo or worsening HTN occurred in 3/26 gestations. Immunosuppression during pregnancy consisted on azathioprine, prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine. SLE Flares occurred in 7/26 (27%) patients, with minor relapses in 4/6 gestations (hepatic, skin and articular involvement) and major renal flares in 3/6 gestations. All renal relapses occurred in patients with no preconception counseling nor immunosuppressive therapy.

PE occurred in 2/26 (7,6%) gestations. Abortion occurred in 6/26 pregnancies (3 spontaneous abortions, 2MTP, 1 voluntary interruption). Cesarean (C) rate was 34,6%. Mean gestation age at delivery was 37±3 (28-40) weeks. Mean birth weight was 2789±859 mg (800-4175), 4 newborns were low birth weight (&lt;2500 g). Apgar scores at 5/10 minutes were 10/10, respectively. Neonatal intensive care (NICU) was needed in 5 newborns.

Conclusion

In our series of SLE patients with LN, worsening kidney function only occurred in patients with advanced CDK, and renal flares in patients without preconceptional counseling nor immunosuppressive therapy, which underlines the importance of careful pregnancy planning. One patient with proliferative LN was successfully treated with tacrolimus associated to azathioprine and prednisolone during pregnancy, being a valuable therapeutic option in these situations. Although SLE patients with LN can have safe pregnancies, we still found an increased incidence of maternal, obstetric and perinatal complications, namely HTN, PE, C, low birth weight and the need of NICU.