Autoimmune connective tissue diseases and pregnancy

Abstract

Autoimmune connective tissue-diseases are more frequent in women and deserve a multidisciplinary approach in which the dermatologist play a major role together with other physicians. Pregnancy in these patients has to be considered a high-risk situation, because of possible worsening of the mother's disease and increased morbility and mortality for the fetus; also, therapies have to be chosen carefully because some drugs cannot be used during pregnancy. For all these reasons, the decision to become pregnant needs to consider the type of disease, stage of disease, age and clinical condition, and requires a multidisciplinary approach. A correct counselling, a close monitoring, a specific approach based on the risks involved and the use of appropriate therapies are the keys to obtain optimal pregnancy outcomes.