High-Risk Pregnancy

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the body makes antibodies against one's own normal body chemicals. In these diseases, antibodies cannot tell antigens in the inside of the cell from antigens outside of the cell. When the antibodies attack the internal cells, the reactions can be local - in just a small area, or systemic - throughout the whole body. The skin and connective tissues (cartilage, bone, tendons) are most affected but other tissues can be affected, as well, including nerve and muscle.

Terms for autoimmune disease include collagen vascular disease or collagen disease. Other autoimmune diseases include the following:

  • systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus)
  • antiphospholipid syndrome
  • myasthenia gravis
  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • scleroderma

Some autoimmune diseases have little or no effect on pregnancy, while others can greatly increase the risks for pregnancy loss and maternal and fetal illness. Likewise, pregnancy can affect some autoimmune diseases, but not others.

Pregnant women with an autoimmune disease require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below is some additional information regarding autoimmune diseases, for which we have provided a brief overview.

If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the High-Risk Pregnancy Online Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional information on that topic.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, or Lupus)

Antiphospholipid Syndrome (aPL)

Myasthenia Gravis

This content was reviewed by Mid-Atlantic Womens Care, PLC. Please visit their site to find an Mid-Atlantic Womens Care obstetrician.

To locate a CHKD physician or practice, search our physician directory, or call (757) 668-7500 or (800) 395-2453, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also e-mail us at healthline@chkd.org.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

Last reviewed on 9/30/2005