Under what conditions can a patient with lupus erythematosus safely become pregnant and have children?

  Since lupus patients are prone to miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy, and the last trimester and postpartum can cause exacerbation of the disease, it is controversial whether lupus patients can become pregnant. In our clinic, we have observed that most female patients marry, get pregnant and give birth to children based on the basic remission of the disease. The disease is still in remission after childbirth, but certain conditions must be met. For example: ( 1 ) Basic remission for more than 6 months.  ( 2 ) Negative for anti-cardiolipin antibody. Those who are positive are prone to miscarriage and stillbirth.  ( 3 ) Prednisone on a maintenance dose of 15 mg or less or no hormone.  ( 4 ) Pregnancy should be followed up regularly under the observation of a specialist and delivered in an experienced hospital obstetrics department.  ( 5 ) The fetus is protected by the placenta’s ability to oxidize prednisone to the inactive 11-ketone form. Therefore, prednisone administration by the mother has no effect on the fetus. To prevent deterioration of the disease during pregnancy and postpartum, the dose should be increased depending on the disease. The original dose may be resumed in stable conditions.  ( 6 ) Dexamethasone and betamethasone cannot be oxygenated by placental enzymes and can affect the fetus, so patients taking these hormones should be switched to prednisone.  (7) Calcium should be supplemented during pregnancy and lactation, otherwise osteonecrosis will be accelerated in patients.  (8) The dose of prednisone during lactation should be less than 15 mg per day and not more than 30 mg per day.  (9) Salicylates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antimalarials are contraindicated in pregnant women. Immunosuppressants should also be discontinued.