Takayasu's arteritis in pregnancy: review of literature and discussion

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare inflammatory disease of the arteries that affects women of childbearing age. The optimal management for pregnant patients with this disease has not yet been defined. The course of disease seems to be neither affected nor worsened by pregnancy. We could not find reported maternal deaths directly related to pregnancy. However, many authors report maternal as well as fetal unfavorable events in the course of pregnancy. We describe a 25-year-old primigravida of Turkish-Greek origin who presented at 30 weeks of pregnancy with active TA. In the 37th week, intrauterine fetal death occurred. Our patient did not show high blood pressure or aortic inflammation. The course of her disease was stable. Whether a newly diagnosed TA during pregnancy should be regarded as an indication for premature delivery is discussed. An interdisciplinary collaboration of rheumatologists, nephrologists and obstetricians is necessary to improve maternal and fetal prognosis.