Objective Pregnant women with SLE have higher probabilities of maternal complications. SLE during pregnancy has alternating patterns of remission and flare-ups; however, most pregnant SLE patients tend to worsen with associated poor obstetric and perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to describe obstetric outcomes in pregnant women with SLE. Methods This retrospective study was performed between 2011 and 2020 at a highly complex referral health center in Cali, Colombia. Pregnant women with a diagnosis of SLE were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory features and obstetric and fetal outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) characteristics, were evaluated. Results Forty-eight pregnant women with SLE were included. The median age was 29 (25–33.7) years. The SLE diagnosis was made before pregnancy in 38 (79.1%) patients, with a median disease duration of 46 (12–84) months. Thirteen (27.1%) patients had lupus nephritis. Preterm labor (34, 70.8%), preeclampsia (25, 52%), and preterm rupture of membranes (10, 20.8%) were the most common obstetric complications. A relationship between a greater systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy disease activity index (SLEPDAI) and the development of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy was established (preeclampsia = p < 0.0366; eclampsia = p < 0.0153). A relationship was identified between lupus nephritis (LN) and eclampsia ( p < 0.01), preterm labor ( p < 0.045), and placental abruption ( p < 0.01). Seventeen (35.4%) patients required ICU admission; 52.9% of them were due to AID activity, 17.6% for cardiovascular damage, 11.7% for septic shock, and 5.8% for acute kidney failure. Fetal survival was 89.5% ( N = 43/48). Among the live births, two (4.2%) newborns were diagnosed with neonatal lupus, and two (4.2%) were diagnosed with congenital heart block. One maternal death was registered due to preeclampsia and intraventricular hemorrhage. Conclusions This study is the first to describe SLE during pregnancy in Colombia. SLE was the most prevalent AID in this cohort, and complications included preterm labor, preeclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage. A higher SLEPDAI and lupus nephritis predicted adverse maternal outcomes.

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Most autoimmune diseases (AIDs) during childhood debut with more severe and aggressive forms, with life-threatening conditions that increase the need for intensive care therapy. This study describes the clinical, laboratory, and health outcome features of pediatric patients with AIDs admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that included the clinical records of all pediatric patients with AIDs admitted to the PICU between 2011 and 2020 in Cali, Colombia. In total, 225 PICU admissions from 136 patients were evaluated. Median age was 13 (11–15) years, and the median disease duration was 15 (5–38.5) months. Systemic lupus erythematosus was the most prevalent disease (91, 66.9%), followed by vasculitis (27, 19.8%). The leading cause of PICU admission was AID activity (95, 44.3%). C-reactive-protein levels were associated with infections (p <0.0394). Mortality occurred in 12 (8.8%) patients secondary to AID activity, primarily, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (6, 50%). A longer disease duration was associated with mortality (p <0.00398). AID activity was the leading cause of PICU admission and mortality. Pulse steroid therapy, mechanical ventilation, and inotropic and vasopressor support were associated with nonsurvival.

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