Sjögren Syndrome and Pregnancy: A Literature Review

Abstract

Objectives: Autoimmune diseases do not impair fertility, and women with autoimmune diseases who become pregnant are likely to experience more complicated pregnancies than are women without the disease. Pregnancies complicated by these disorders have a high clinical impact on both the pregnancy and the disease. The effect of autoimmune disease on pregnancy differs according to the type of maternal disease, disease activity, severity of organ damage, antibody profile, and drug treatment. Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disease with a high prevalence of anti-SS-A (anti-Ro) and anti-SS-B (anti-La) antibodies. Anti-SS-A antibodies are associated with congenital heart block. Data on pregnancy outcomes in primary Sjögren syndrome are scarce.

Methods: We performed a review of the literature regarding pregnancy outcomes in women with Sjögren syndrome.

Results: Women with Sjögren syndrome are likely to experience more complications during pregnancy than women without an autoimmune disease. Studies show a high incidence of poor fetal outcomes for these patients.

Conclusion: Women with Sjögren syndrome require prenatal counseling explaining the risks involved and the need to control the disease well before conception. High-risk pregnancies can be optimally managed by a multidisciplinary team.