Preeclampsia as a Manifestation of New-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus during Pregnancy: A Case-Based Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction New-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during pregnancy is rare and difficult to diagnose, especially in cases that manifest as preeclampsia. We report a patient with new-onset SLE that manifested as preeclampsia during pregnancy and provide a review of the literature to identify factors for a rapid diagnosis.

Case A 32-year-old primigravid Japanese woman was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and underwent emergent cesarean section at 29 weeks of gestation. Her hypertension and renal disorder gradually improved after the operation, but her thrombocytopenia and anemia worsened. SLE was diagnosed on postoperative day 5 by a comprehensive autoimmune workup. She was discharged on postoperative day 34 with remission.

Conclusion Our case and previous reports suggest that distinguishing underlying SLE from preeclampsia in the third trimester is particularly difficult. Helpful factors for diagnosis of suspected SLE in these cases were persistence of symptoms and new atypical symptoms for preeclampsia revealed after delivery (e.g., fever, renal disorder, and thrombocytopenia).

Keywords

systemic lupus erythematosus - onset during pregnancy - seizure - preeclampsia - thrombocytopenia

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease that primarily affects women in their reproductive years. Lupus occurred in 13,555 of 16.7 million pregnancies in a recent study in the United States.[1] Most cases of SLE in pregnancy are diagnosed before conception, and new-onset SLE during pregnancy and in the postpartum period is rare, occurring in 0.0 to 13.5% of pregnancies with SLE according to recent reports.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Preeclampsia is much more common than new-onset SLE during pregnancy. In the United States, preeclampsia occurs in 5 to 8% of the general population and in 13 to 35% of pregnant women with SLE.[7] The signs and symptoms of lupus flare-ups may mimic those of preeclampsia, and distinguishing new-onset SLE during pregnancy from preeclampsia is sometimes difficult. The clinical picture is particularly complicated if the initial manifestation is preeclampsia.

We present here a challenging case of new-onset SLE that manifested as preeclampsia during pregnancy. Such a situation could result in catastrophic illness with dire maternal and fetal outcomes if diagnosis and management are delayed. We also reviewed the literature on new-onset SLE that manifested as preeclampsia during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, and discuss facilitation of rapid diagnosis.

Case Study

A 32-year-old primigravid Japanese woman with no remarkable medical history had become pregnant by in vitro fertilization and egg transfer. She underwent a prenatal checkup by a local doctor. Laboratory testing during the first trimester revealed anemia (hemoglobin level of 9.0 g/dL), thrombocytopenia (platelet count of 7.0 × 10/µL), and proteinuria (2 + ), but no further assessment was performed. When she was referred to a clinic near her parents' home at 29 weeks of gestation, leg edema, hypertension, intrauterine growth reduction (−2.3 standard deviation), and a high umbilical artery resistance index were observed. She was transferred to a city hospital and underwent further examination. On the same day, she was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and a nonreassuring fetal status based on severe hypertension (160/100 mm Hg), thrombocytopenia (2.9 × 10/µL), renal disorder (serum creatinine level of 1.25 mg/dL), and loss of variability on cardiotocography. She was transferred to our hospital immediately. An emergent cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia with preoperative transfusion of 10 units of concentrated platelets. A 1,048-g female infant was born with Apgar scores of 3 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. Although no major intraoperative problems occurred, awakening of the patient was delayed despite the cessation of anesthetic administration. She suddenly showed general convulsions in the operating room. An emergency computed tomographic examination of the head revealed no hemorrhage or infarction. We suspected eclampsia and began intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate, nicardipine hydrochloride, and unfractionated heparin. Magnetic resonance imaging the next day showed no occipital lobe lesions characteristic of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The general convulsions did not recur. Although her consciousness, hypertension, and serum creatinine levels had improved, her thrombocytopenia and anemia persisted. Therefore, frequent platelet transfusions were required ([Fig. 1]). On postoperative day (POD) 3, we suspected an underlying autoimmune disorder, and a complete autoimmune workup was initiated. On POD4, we started intravenous prednisolone administration before diagnosis. Laboratory findings the following day showed positivity for antinuclear antibody, anti-ds DNA antibody, anti-Sm antibody, and anti-RNP antibody (72.5, 21, 170, and 109 IU/mL, respectively), and low C3 and C4 complement levels (42 and 8 mg/dL, respectively). Antiphospholipid antibodies, anti-Ro, and anti-La antibodies, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, antiplatelet factor 4/heparin antibodies, broken erythrocytes, and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13 were negative. Platelet-associated IgG was almost normal (43.8 ng/10⁷ cells). Based on these findings, she was diagnosed with SLE on POD5. Several days later, her platelet count and hemoglobin level increased to the reference ranges. Her proteinuria improved from 4 g/d on POD4 to 1 g/d on POD18, and her blood pressure normalized on POD7. The patient was discharged on POD34 with normal blood pressure, normal laboratory data, and no recurrence of seizures. Her SLE has been well controlled with oral prednisone. Evaluation of her newborn showed no evidence of neonatal lupus.

Fig. 1 Changes in platelet and hemoglobin levels. e-CD, emergent cesarean delivery; mPSL, methylprednisolone; PC, platelet concentrate; POD, postoperative day; PSL, prednisolone; RCC, red cell concentrate.

Discussion

SLE predominantly affects young women of child-bearing age. There have been numerous studies of pregnant women diagnosed with SLE before conception, and the course of pregnancy with SLE has dramatically improved in recent decades. The average probability of a lupus flare during pregnancy and the postpartum period has decreased from 60.0% in the presteroid era to 23.3% at the beginning of the 21st century.[6] There is no consensus on whether the incidence of lupus flare increases during pregnancy and the postpartum period or in which trimester it is most associated with a risk of lupus flare. However, SLE activity during the 6 months preceding conception and preexisting renal disease are known as potential risk factors for flares during pregnancy. There is a greater prevalence of preeclampsia, fetal loss, intrauterine growth retardation, and preterm birth among women with active lupus during pregnancy.[6]

However, there are few reports on SLE during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. A literature search of MEDLINE and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina for reports published during the past 20 years showed only 13 case reports involving 16 patients,[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] one comparative study on new-onset SLE during pregnancy and the postpartum period,[21] and two studies that presented limited information.[2] [3]

Among all 17 reported patients (16 previous reports plus the present case) ([Table 1]), the mean maternal age was 28 years (range, 20–34 years). Excluding two cases in which such information was not provided; two cases involved abortion, nine involved preterm delivery, and only four involved term delivery. No cases of stillbirth or neonatal death were reported. Preeclampsia/eclampsia was the most common complication and was found in 11 (65%) cases. Hemophagocytic syndrome, acute fatty liver, HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome, and myocardial infarction were the other severe complications, but no maternal death was reported. The numbers of patients who manifested specific diagnostic criteria of SLE included the following: malar rash in 7 (41%); discoid rash in 2 (12%); photosensitivity in 0 (0%); oral ulcers in 3 (18%); arthritis in 4 (24%); serositis in 4 (24%); renal disorder in 11 (65%); neurological disorders in 3 (18%); leukopenia in 7 (41%); anemia in 6 (35%); thrombocytopenia in 6 (35%); anti-ds DNA in 14 (82%); and antinuclear antibody in 17 (100%). Renal disorders appeared to be more common at the onset of SLE in pregnant patients than in nonpregnant patients.

Table 1 Case reports of new-onset SLE during pregnancy and the postpartum period

Author, y	Age (y), gravity, parity	Delivery wks, CD/vaginal birth, birth weight	Complications	First clinical manifestation ultimately attributed to SLE	Gestational age at onset of first SLE manifestation	Timing of SLE diagnosis	Cumulative manifestations supporting SLE diagnosis
Minakami et al, 1994	34 G4P2	14 wks, supravaginal amputation	Eclampsia, acute fatty liver, AMI	Facial rash	Early first trimester	Before delivery	Facial rash, discoid rash, oral ulcer, arthritis, proteinuria, anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, ANA
Nigro et al, 1997	26 NS	NS	Parvovirus B19 infection, threatened abortion	Fever, arthralgia	Soon after delivery	After delivery	Discoid rash, arthritis, anti-dsDNA, ANA, fever
Hobo et al, 2001	28 G0P0	34 wks, CD, 2,606 g	Preeclampsia	Leg edema, proteinuria	29 wks	12 d after delivery	Malar rash, oral ulcer, arthritis, serositis, renal disorder, leukopenia, anti-dsDNA, ANA, fever
Hildbrand et al, 2005	34 G4P2	36 wks, 1,640 g	Preeclampsia, acute heart failure	Hypertension, dyspnea	Immediately after delivery	NS	Serositis, renal disorder, anti-dsDNA, anti-cardiolipin, ANA, acute heart failure
Yang et al, 2006	22 G1P0	32 wks, CD, 1,420 g	Preeclampsia	Malar rash, cold fingers	17 wks	Before delivery	Malar rash, proteinuria, leukopenia, anti-dsDNA, ANA
	24 G4P0	36 wks, vaginal delivery, 2,690 g	None	Malar rash	15 wks	Before delivery	Malar rash, ANA (skin biopsy)
	31 G1P0	37 wks, CD, 3,542 g	Preeclampsia	Skin rash, lower leg edema, leukopenia	25 wks	Before delivery	Skin lesions, proteinuria, leukopenia, anti-dsDNA, ANA, pulmonary edema
	27 G3P0	38 wks, CD	None	Malar rash, polyarthralgia, dyspnea	10 wks	Before delivery	Malar rash, arthritis, leukopenia, anti-dsDNA, ANA
Qian and Yang, 2007	29 NS	NS	HPS	Facial rash	2 mo	After delivery	Malar rash, oral ulcer, proteinuria, pancytopenia, anti-dsDNA, anti-SSA, ANA
Matsuo et al, 2007	27 NS	31 wks, CD, 1,214 g	Preeclampsia	Preeclampsia	31 wks	12 mo after delivery	Proteinuria, anti-dsDNA, ANA (renal biopsy)
Furuta et al, 2009	27 G1P1	32 wks, CD, 1,695 g and 1,345 g (twins)	Preeclampsia	Proteinuria	28 wks	> 20 d after delivery	Malar rash, serositis, proteinuria, anemia, ANA
Borahay et al, 2009	20 G0P0	39 wks, CD	Preeclampsia	Preeclampsia, seizure	39 wks	> 18 d after delivery	Proteinuria, anemia, leukopenia, renal disorder, seizures, anti-dsDNA, ANA, fever, purpuric macules at the fingers
Yoshida et al, 2009	33 P0	Term delivery	HPS	Fever, erythema	3 wks after delivery	3 mo after delivery	Malar rash, urine casts, pancytopenia, anti-dsDNA, ANA, fever, lymphadenopathy
Stepankova et al, 2009	26 G0P0	31 wks, CD, 1,900 g	GDM, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome	Preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome	31 wks	> 3 wks after delivery	Proteinuria, anemia, thrombocytopenia, anti-dsDNA, ANA, fever, dyspnea
Katsura et al, 2010	28 G0P0	34 wks, CD, 1,838 g	Preeclampsia	Proteinuria	20 wks	8 d after delivery	Serositis, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, anti-dsDNA, ANA
Siu et al, 2010	28 NS	19–20 wks, abortion	Hyperemesis	Unclear speech	Approximately 14 wks	After delivery	Thrombocytopenia, psychosis, anticardiolipid antibody, ANA
Miyamoto et al, 2014	32 G0P0	29 wks, CD, 1,048 g	Preeclampsia	Proteinuria, anemia, thrombocytopenia	10 wks	5 d after delivery	Proteinuria, anemia, thrombocytopenia, seizure, anti-dsDNA, ANA

Abbreviations: AMI, acute myocardial infarction; ANA, antinuclear antibody; CD, cesarean delivery; HPS, hemophagocytic syndrome; GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus; NS, not stated; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus.

Zhao et al[21] described 48 patients with new-onset SLE during pregnancy. These patients' clinical characteristics and serological parameters were retrospectively compared with those of age-matched patients with new-onset SLE who were not pregnant within 12 months before the diagnosis. Lupus nephritis (68.8%) and severe thrombocytopenia (25.0%) were more commonly observed and arthritis/arthralgia (8.3%), alopecia (4.2%), and ulceration (2.1%) were less commonly found in patients with new-onset SLE during pregnancy than in patients who were not pregnant. Only two (4.2%) patients had the complication of preeclampsia. However, detailed data on each patient are not available. Chakravarty et al[2] and Chandran et al[3] reported that few cases of new-onset SLE during pregnancy showed poor maternal and neonatal outcomes in their studies. However, detailed information on each patient is not available.

Of the 11 patients who developed preeclampsia/eclampsia in the above-described case reports, 3 developed preeclampsia after the diagnosis of SLE and 8 had SLE that manifested as preeclampsia that had not been initially diagnosed. In these eight patients, preeclampsia mostly occurred in the third trimester, with the exception of one patient who developed preeclampsia immediately after delivery. Of these seven patients, three developed preeclampsia as the first manifestation of SLE. The remaining four patients (including our patient) developed preeclampsia with preceding symptoms of SLE, such as leg edema, proteinuria, mild anemia, and thrombocytopenia, which are also commonly found in patients with preeclampsia, or even in patients with a normal pregnancy. No patients developed other typical symptoms of SLE (e.g., malar rash or arthritis) as the first manifestation of SLE in the third trimester or preceding preeclampsia before the diagnosis of SLE. These findings suggest that distinguishing underlying SLE from preeclampsia is difficult, especially in the third trimester, because other typical symptoms of SLE are not initially observed. Moreover, preeclampsia is common not only in patients with SLE, but also in healthy women in their third trimester of pregnancy. In six of the seven above-mentioned patients, the pregnancy was terminated to treat the preeclampsia before the diagnosis of SLE, and all patients had a preterm delivery.

The diagnosis of SLE tended to be delayed (5 days to > 12 months after delivery) in the eight cases that manifested as preeclampsia because termination of pregnancy was believed to be sufficient to improve the condition, and an immunological examination was not initially performed. An autoimmune disorder was finally suspected when the condition worsened, even after parturition. Important factors for identifying underlying SLE were the persistence or new onset of the following abnormal physical or laboratory findings: malar rash, fever, purpuric macules on the fingers, acute heart failure, serositis, renal disorder, cytopenia, and recurrence of seizures.

In our case, the anemia, thrombocytopenia, and proteinuria that were incidentally found in the first trimester led us to the correct diagnosis. The persistence of thrombocytopenia and worsening anemia helped us to suspect an underlying autoimmune disease. When the platelet count does not reach its nadir for 48 to 72 hours, preeclampsia syndrome may be incorrectly attributed to a thrombotic microangiopathy. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome, HELLP syndrome, acute fatty liver, or catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome, all of which were ruled out by biochemical and immunological examinations, were considered to be the differential diagnoses.

In conclusion, new-onset SLE during pregnancy is rare and difficult to quickly diagnose, especially in cases that manifest as preeclampsia in the third trimester. New-onset SLE should be suspected and an autoimmune workup should be performed as soon as possible when symptoms of preeclampsia persist or new atypical symptoms of preeclampsia develop after delivery.

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