Abstract
This article reviews vasculitis in pregnancy and is relevant to all healthcare professionals working with women of childbearing age. It covers recent developments in the field of vasculitis and pregnancy, summarizes current therapeutic practice and looks toward future challenges in this area. Vasculitis in pregnancy is rare and our knowledge of how to manage these women is limited but expanding. We know that pregnancy can have a disease-modifying effect on autoimmune connective tissue diseases such as vasculitis and that connective tissue disease can have an adverse effect on pregnancy. It is essential that pregnant women with vasculitis are managed to the highest standards of care, in order to prevent negative outcomes not only for the mother but also for the child. This article aims to provide an approach to managing these patients with the best current evidence-based practice.
Financial disclosure
The authors have no relevant financial interests related to this manuscript, including employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
Notes
ANCA: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; cANCA: Cytoplasmic staining pattern antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; MPO: Myeloperoxidase; pANCA: Perinuclear staining pattern antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody; PR: Proteinase; WG: Wegener's granulomatosis.