THE CORRELATION OF PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS WITH C3/C4 LEVELS, ANTI-DSDNA TITERS, AND AUTOIMMUNE TARGET TESTING IN GRAVIDAS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between complement (C3 and C4) levels, anti-dsDNA titers, autoimmune targettest (AITT), and pregnancy complications.MethodsNinety-three pregnancies with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were analyzed retrospectively. We evaluated the course of thepregnancy and outcome, pregnancy complications, progression of SLE, maternal complications of SLE, drugs taken before and afterpregnancy, neonatal outcomes, and C3/C4 levels, anti-dsDNA titers, and AITT results. SPSS ver. 14.0 was used for statistical analysis. Theaverage and standard deviation are shown. Chi-square test and Pearson correlation test were used for statistical analysis. The significancelevel was set at 0.05.ResultsThe C3 level was associated with maternal leukopenia, elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) elevation, hematuria, hypertension, andpreterm premature rupture of membranes. The C4 level was associated with maternal proteinuria, hematuria, hematologic disease, andadmission to the neonatal intensive care unit. The anti-dsDNA titer was associated with elevated maternal serum CRP, oligohydramnios,and neonatal anti-Sjogren's syndrome B (La) antibody. The AITT result was related to elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and 1 and 5minute Apgar scores.ConclusionOur result show that adding the AITT to conventional C3/C4 and anti-dsDNA testing in gravidas with SLE might help antenatal care.