A new study found that non-Hispanic Black individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experienced the highest rates of maternal cardiovascular events, maternal adverse pregnancy outcomes and infant adverse outcomes. They also had higher rates of preterm birth, while Asian individuals had the highest prevalence of infants born small for gestational age. 

Study researchers analyzed 8,188 liveborn singleton pregnancies in California from 2005 to 2020 to better understand how race and ethnicity, cardiovascular events and pregnancy outcomes intersect in SLE. The study examined outcomes including heart attack, stroke, heart failure and blood clots, as well as maternal complications, preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age infants, intensive care use and readmissions. Researchers also accounted for sociodemographic factors such as age, insurance status, education, and other health conditions, lupus nephritis and antiphospholipid syndrome. 

The findings reinforce the importance of considering both cardiovascular risk and broader social and clinical factors when caring for pregnant people with lupus. Looking ahead, the authors highlight the potential value of multidisciplinary care involving rheumatology, maternal-fetal medicine and cardiology, as well as further research to better understand and address these disparities. Learn more about lupus and pregnancy. 

This study was supported in part by the Lupus Foundation of America’s Gary S. Gilkeson Career Development Award. It’s lead author, Rashmi Dhital, MD, received the grant for this work in 2023. 

Read the study