Lupus

Doctors used to recommend that patients with lupus should avoid pregnancy. However, this is no longer the case as more effective treatment strategies are available. Pregnancy is usually safe in patients with mild lupus. In severe lupus, pregnancy is best avoided during the active phase of the disorder. Always discuss this problem with your doctor before embarking on pregnancy. Certain drugs used to treat lupus can affect the unborn baby and are best avoided in lupus patients who intend to become pregnant.

In rare cases, babies born to mothers with lupus can develop a condition called neonatal lupus. This is usually a benign condition and the baby will have some rash which subsides in a few weeks’ time. Very occasionally, such babies will have a disturbance in heart rate which will require treatment by a neonatal cardiologist.

To optimise care, it is best to have a team of rheumatologist, obstetrician and paediatrician working together.

Finally, while coping with lupus could be stressful, keeping yourself up-to-date on treatment and tapping on your friends and family for support are integral to managing this illness. Download a brochure in the language of your choice for further information on lupus:
Lupus.pdf
狼疮.pdf