Henoch-Schonlein purpura in pregnancy: A case report

Pregnancy outcome in patients with a medical history of immunoglobulin A vasculitis: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE

Data on obstetric outcomes in patients with a history of immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgA-V) are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess maternal, neonatal, and vasculitis outcomes during pregnancy.

METHOD

We conducted a French retrospective case-control study. Pregnancies of patients with a history of IgA-V (cases) were retrospectively studied and compared to pregnancies in women who developed IgA-V after their pregnancies and to pregnancies in healthy women (controls).

RESULTS

Twenty-six pregnancies in patients with a history of IgA-V were included and compared to 15 pregnancies in women who later developed IgA-V and 52 pregnancies in healthy women. Both gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia were more frequent in the case group than in the other groups (23% vs 0% vs 0%, p < 0.01; 12% vs 7% vs 0%, p = 0.04). Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy occurred more frequently in patients with pre-existing kidney disease (78% vs 12%, p < 0.01). Caesarean section was more often performed in the case group than in the other groups (27% vs 0% vs 10%, p = 0.04). No foetal loss or maternal deaths occurred. There were no differences in delivery term or birth weight. No vasculitis flares were observed during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Women with a history of IgA-V appear to be at higher risk for gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia, especially in cases with renal involvement; however, both mother and newborn outcomes appear to be favourable.

Risk factors of renal trauma in children with severe Henoch-Schonlein purpura and effect of mycophenolate mofetil on pediatric renal function

BACKGROUND

Renal trauma (RT) is a common feature in children with severe Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), which can elevate the chance of recurrence and trigger end-stage renal disease. The risk factors of RT in children with HSP were explored and research was conducted on relevant treatment methods.

METHODS

A total of 120 child patients with severe HSP admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were selected as the research cohort, and divided into a RT group (n=45) and RT-free group (n=75) according to their condition to analyze the risk factors inducing RT in pediatric patients, and mycophenolate mofetil therapy was given to both participant groups to compare their renal function indicators, immune function indicators, and adverse reaction rates (ARR) after treatment.

RESULTS

Recurrent rash, adenovirus infection, respiratory virus infection, D-dimer level, leukocyte level, urinary albumin (UA) level, and platelet level were the risk factors of RT affecting severe HSP child patients. After treatment, the renal function indicators and immune indicators of participants in both groups were significantly better than those before treatment (P<0.05), and these indicators of the RT-free group were significantly better than the RT group after treatment (P<0.05). All participants did not experience serious adverse reactions, and no significant difference was presented when comparing the ARR between the 2 groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Recurrent rash, adenovirus infection, respiratory virus infection, D-dimer level, leukocyte level, UA level, and platelet level are the risk factors of RT affecting children with severe HSP, and mycophenolate mofetil can improve the renal function in pediatric patients and enhance their immunity, and is thus worthy of promotion in practice.

Pregnancy Outcomes in Systemic Vasculitides

Purpose of Review

In recent years, improvements in the recognition of primary vasculitides and increased treatment options have led to greater survival rates and a better quality of life for patients. Therefore, pregnancy in women with vasculitis has become a more frequent consideration or event. Literature on pregnancy outcomes in this population has grown and allowed us, in this article, to review the effects of pregnancy on disease activity, as well as maternal and fetal outcomes for each type of vasculitides.

Recent Findings

Successful pregnancies in patients with vasculitides are possible, especially when conception is planned, and the disease is in remission. The risk of vasculitis flare is highly dependent on the type of vasculitis, but overall limited. The most frequent complication associated with large-vessel vasculitis (mainly Takayasu arteritis) is hypertension and preeclampsia. Preterm deliveries and intrauterine growth restriction occur more frequently with small- and medium-vessel vasculitis.

Summary

Pregnancies in patients with vasculitis should be considered high risk and followed by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in the field. Flares should be managed as in the non-pregnant population, while avoiding medications with unknown safety in pregnancy or known teratogens. Although commonly prescribed for the prevention of preeclampsia, there is limited evidence supporting the use of low-dose aspirin for pregnant women with vasculitis. Prospective registries or studies are needed, to better assess the value of aspirin, the place and long-term impact of new biologics and, to identify predictors of pregnancy outcomes other than disease status at conception.