Less Offsprings in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients; is it Infertility or Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes to Blame?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a potentially fatal, chronic, multisystem autoimmune disorder that mainly affects female patients. The peak age of onset among women seems to be during child bearing years, between 15 and 40 years. Fertility can be negatively affected by disease activity (autoimmune oophoritis) or by the gonadotoxic medications used. Pregnancies in SLE are also associated with higher neonatal and maternal complications. Neonates born to mothers with SLE are more likely to be preterm, have a low birth weight and are associated with stillbirth compared to neonates born to healthy control mothers.