Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Impact of hydroxychloroquine on pregnancy outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus: A 25 years retrospective cohort study from Asia
Authors' conclusion
Our study findings suggest that maintaining disease remission prior to conception and continuing HCQ therapy during pregnancy may be associated with improved maternal and fetal outcomes, though the observed association with fetal heart block warrants cautious interpretation due to small numbers.
Study context
- Population
- Pregnant women with SLE, Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi, over the past 25 years
- Participants
- 125 women
- Exposure
- Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) throughout pregnancy vs no HCQ
- Outcome
- Feto-maternal outcomes
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Fetal heart block
Non-HCQ
20.6%
7 events
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Positive anticardiolipin IgG antibodies
P = 0.036
Overall disease flare-up (mostly in third trimester)
- Overall flare-up, all patients
- 68.8% (86/125)
Original publication
Impact of hydroxychloroquine on pregnancy outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus: A 25 years retrospective cohort study from Asia. Lupus. Published 8 February 2026. doi:10.
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