Lupus nephritis: Management challenges during pregnancy

Authors

Zohreh Gholizadeh Ghozloujeh, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States.
Tripti Singh, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.
Kenar D. Jhaveri, Department of Medicine, Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY, United States.
Silvi Shah, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
Edgar Lerma, Advocate Health - Midwest
Amir Abdipour, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States.
Sayna Norouzi, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, United States.

Recommended Citation

Gholizadeh Ghozloujeh Z, Singh T, Jhaveri KD, et al. Lupus nephritis: management challenges during pregnancy. Front Nephrol. 2024;4:1390783. Published 2024 Jun 4. doi:10.3389/fneph.2024.1390783

Affiliations

Advocate Christ Medical Center

Abstract

Lupus nephritis (LN), a severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), leads to significant kidney inflammation and damage and drastically increases mortality risk. Predominantly impacting women in their reproductive years, LN poses specific risks during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, growth restrictions, stillbirth, and preterm delivery, exacerbated by lupus activity, specific antibodies, and pre-existing conditions like hypertension. Effective management of LN during pregnancy is crucial and involves carefully balancing disease control with the safety of the fetus. This includes pre-conception counseling and a multidisciplinary approach among specialists to navigate the complexities LN patients face during pregnancy, such as distinguishing LN flare-ups from pregnancy-induced conditions. This review focuses on exploring the complex dynamics between pregnancy and LN, emphasizing the management difficulties and the heightened risks pregnant women with LN encounter.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

38895665