The effect of newly diagnosed undifferentiated connective tissue disease on pregnancy outcome

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Dec;199(6):632.e1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.05.008. Epub 2008 Jul 29.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcome in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD).

Study design: We conducted a nested case-control study that compared 41 patients who had early UCTD that was diagnosed at 11-14 weeks of pregnancy with 82 healthy control subjects.

Results: During pregnancy, UCTD progressed to a definite connective tissue disease in 2 of 41 patients (4.9%). Sixteen of the 41 patients (39%) with UCTD tested positive for anti-Ro (SSA) antibodies. Compared with the control subjects, the women with UCTD had higher rates of small for gestational age (SGA; 12/40 vs 11/80; P = .05). The rate of complications of pregnancy (preterm delivery at </= 37 weeks of gestation, SGA, preeclampsia, late fetal loss) was 39% (16/41) among cases and 13.4% (11/82) in control subjects (adjusted odds ratio, 3.98; 95% CI, 1.59-9.49).

Conclusion: Pregnant patients with UCTD are at increased risk of SGA and complications of pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Connective Tissue Diseases / complications
  • Connective Tissue Diseases / immunology
  • Connective Tissue Diseases / pathology*
  • Female
  • Fetal Development
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / diagnostic imaging
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / epidemiology
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications / pathology*
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Premature Birth / immunology
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Assessment
  • Ultrasonography