Systemic lupus erythematosus in pregnancy treated with plasmapheresis.

A young woman developed severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the beginning of her second pregnancy: her disease was extremely difficult to control and the baby died unexpectedly when 8 weeks old. She became very ill at the same time in her third pregnancy; plasmapheresis appeared to make her management easier, and the 7-month-old baby is doing well.