Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®) is the most prescribed medication in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The impact of the drug on pregnancy outcomes remains controversial because adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with lupus remain higher when compared with those in the general population.

A retrospective cohort study of 122 women with lupus in South Korea found pregnancy outcome preeclampsia was significantly less complicated and neonatal morbidities of preterm delivery and low birth weight were reduced among those in the HCQ treatment group compared to the nontreatment group. The researchers concluded that preeclampsia can be reduced by about 90% with treatment of HCQ during pregnancy. Learn about planning a pregnancy when you have lupus.

Read the study