New-onset systemic lupus erythematosus during pregnancy: a medical challenge

Abstract

ystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune systemic disease which preferentially affects women in their reproductive years. SLE during pregnancy is associated with both maternal and fetal-neonatal complications. While most cases of SLE are diagnosed before conception, new-onset SLE during pregnancy or in the postpartum period is rare. This paper reports the case of a young nulliparous African patient, who had non-specific symptoms as from week 16 of gestational age. SLE was diagnosed at week 28 of pregnancy along with a life-threatening multisystem flare. This case illustrates how SLE can be difficult to recognize during pregnancy because the manifestations of the SLE may mimic normal physiological changes of pregnancy.