Mechanism of autoimmunity in pregnancy: The good and the bad

Lotti Tajouri, Ekua Brenu, Donald Staines, Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

1. Introduction In humans, female’s humoral and cellular immunity are actually stronger than men (Nalbandian & Kovats, 2005) and present a higher antibody serum titration than men(Giron-Gonzalez et al., 2000) which could logically and possibly explain their gender predisposition and susceptibility to autoimmunity. Holding an autoimmune disease and becoming pregnant is a serious matter for a woman and knowledge of the course of the condition during pregnancy is essential. Relational variations exist between types of autoimmuny during pregnancy and consequently proper advices from physicians are provided accordingly. In Systemic lupus erythematosus, all advices provided to the patients are meant to dissuade women from getting pregnant while being in a relapse stage of the disease and better wait for the end of the flare pathological course. As for Rheumatoidarthritis and multiple sclerosis, no real dangers are encountered while being pregnant and while the disease symptoms are expressed it still does not present life threatening risks to the gestation. In Myasthenia gravis, during gestation the risks are variable and retrospective studies show increase complications.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAutoimmune Disorders
Subtitle of host publicationPathogenetic Aspects
EditorsC P Mavragani
Place of PublicationRijeka
PublisherIn-Tech
Pages437-462
Number of pages26
ISBN (Print)9789533076430
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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