Anti-SS-A antibodies and fetal outcome in maternal systemic lupus erythematosus.

In 155 women with systemic lupus erythematosus, there were no significant differences in the rates of fertility or adverse fetal outcome between the 47 (30%) with serum anti-SS-A antibody and the 108 without anti-SS-A, except in the frequency of congenital heart block. This complication occurred in 6 of 96 pregnancies in women with anti-SS-A and was associated with high-titer maternal antibody. The overall risk of a woman with lupus having an infant with congenital heart block was estimated to be 1:60, but the risk was considerably higher (1:20) if anti-SS-A antibody was present.