Abstract
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to describe the maternal and foetal outcomes in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) attending a joint rheumatology and obstetric clinic in the United Kingdom.
Methods
Electronic records of 98 patients attending the joint rheumatology and obstetric clinic between Jan 2018-Jan 2020 were analysed. Data on patient demographics, characteristics (including age, ethnicity, diagnosis, and medications taken during pregnancy), pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage, stillbirth, livebirth), maternal complications (infection, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), pre-eclampsia), and foetal complications (sepsis, congenital heart block (CHB), prematurity, and low birthweight), were tabulated. Subgroups of patients based on maternal diagnosis, medications, and Ro/La antibody status were similarly described.
Results
The cohort was found to be predominantly Caucasian women above the age of 30, diagnosed with a connective tissue disease. Of 98 pregnancies, 97% (n=95) resulted in a livebirth, with only 2% resulting in miscarriage (n=2), and 1% in stillbirth (n=1). The median age of gestation was 38 (IQR 37-39), and the majority of patients had a normal vaginal delivery (35%, n=34), whilst 30% had emergency caesarean-sections (n=29). Median birthweight was 3120g (IQR 2690-3410). The most common maternal complications were PPH (56%, n=54) and infection (22%, n=21). The most common foetal complications were prematurity (23%, n=22) and low birthweight (17%, n=16).
Conclusion
We report favourable outcomes from this service model, including a high live birth-rate, low miscarriage rate, and a high median birthweight. With limited reported data of pregnancy outcomes from joint obstetric/rheumatology clinics, this service model may be beneficial in other centres.
Word count – 247 words
Keywords (up to 10)
Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Pregnancy; Maternal Foetal Outcomes
The purpose of this study is to describe the maternal and foetal outcomes in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) attending a joint rheumatology and obstetric clinic in the United Kingdom.
Methods
Electronic records of 98 patients attending the joint rheumatology and obstetric clinic between Jan 2018-Jan 2020 were analysed. Data on patient demographics, characteristics (including age, ethnicity, diagnosis, and medications taken during pregnancy), pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage, stillbirth, livebirth), maternal complications (infection, postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), pre-eclampsia), and foetal complications (sepsis, congenital heart block (CHB), prematurity, and low birthweight), were tabulated. Subgroups of patients based on maternal diagnosis, medications, and Ro/La antibody status were similarly described.
Results
The cohort was found to be predominantly Caucasian women above the age of 30, diagnosed with a connective tissue disease. Of 98 pregnancies, 97% (n=95) resulted in a livebirth, with only 2% resulting in miscarriage (n=2), and 1% in stillbirth (n=1). The median age of gestation was 38 (IQR 37-39), and the majority of patients had a normal vaginal delivery (35%, n=34), whilst 30% had emergency caesarean-sections (n=29). Median birthweight was 3120g (IQR 2690-3410). The most common maternal complications were PPH (56%, n=54) and infection (22%, n=21). The most common foetal complications were prematurity (23%, n=22) and low birthweight (17%, n=16).
Conclusion
We report favourable outcomes from this service model, including a high live birth-rate, low miscarriage rate, and a high median birthweight. With limited reported data of pregnancy outcomes from joint obstetric/rheumatology clinics, this service model may be beneficial in other centres.
Word count – 247 words
Keywords (up to 10)
Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Pregnancy; Maternal Foetal Outcomes
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Rheumatology Advances in Practice |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 24 Mar 2022 |