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. 2021 Sep;14(3):158-163.
doi: 10.1177/1753495X20964680. Epub 2020 Nov 3.

Prevalence of autoimmune conditions in pregnant women in a tertiary maternity hospital: A cross-sectional survey and maternity database review

Jacqueline R Lim  1 , Timothy C Nielsen  2 , Russell C Dale  2 , Hannah F Jones  2 , Amanda Beech  3 , Natasha Nassar  2 , Samantha J Lain  2 , Antonia Shand  2   4
Affiliations

Prevalence of autoimmune conditions in pregnant women in a tertiary maternity hospital: A cross-sectional survey and maternity database review

Jacqueline R Lim et al. Obstet Med. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Autoimmune conditions are associated with adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes; however, the prevalence in pregnant women is not well understood. Estimates based on administrative data alone may underestimate prevalence.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of women attending a tertiary referral hospital for antenatal care in December 2018-February 2019 and review of the hospital's maternity database of women giving birth from October 2017-June 2018 to estimate autoimmune disease prevalence.

Results: A total of 400 women completed surveys (78% response rate) and 41 (10.3%) reported an autoimmune disease, most commonly Hashimoto's thyroiditis (2.8%) and psoriasis (2.5%). From the maternity database, 112 of 2756 women giving birth (4.1%) had a recorded autoimmune disease, most commonly Hashimoto's thyroiditis (1.3%) followed by coeliac disease, Graves' disease, and immune thrombocytopenic purpura (all 0.4%).

Conclusion: Autoimmune disease prevalence in pregnant women is higher when self-reported and may be more common than previously reported using administrative data.

Keywords: Australia; Autoimmune disease; autoimmunity; pregnancy; prevalence.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flowchart of participants in the survey study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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