Physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy and their possible effects on patients with rheumatic diseases
Other notable changes during pregnancy include:
- • The TH2 cytokine profile is dominant during pregnancy; this may explain why patients with SLE can flare during pregnancy while RA can improve.
- • IgG can cross the placenta starting at 13 to 16 weeks of gestation.
- • The risk of thrombosis increases during pregnancy due to increased hepatic protein synthesis.
- • Can be exacerbated by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLAs).
- • Risk of osteoporosis increases during pregnancy and lactation as calcium is pulled from the bones; this calcium loss is reversible after pregnancy and lactation are completed.
- • Edema of pregnancy can cause or worsen carpal tunnel syndrome.