Autoimmune diseases in pregnancy. The obstetrician's view.

Pregnancy in the patient with an autoimmune disease is a high-risk situation often resulting in preterm delivery or pregnancy loss. Pregnancy loss can occur in any trimester. These patients require special maternal and fetal surveillance by the obstetrician. Patients with normal renal function and blood pressure are associated with the best outcome. Cooperation between the obstetrician, rheumatologist, and pediatrician usually result in a good outcome for both mother and infant.