Severe preeclampsia in a patient with “Autoimmune Overlap”: a case report
Abstract
Objective: Introduction
Systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis are autoimmune connective tissue diseases characterized by marked clinical heterogeneity and the potential for significant multiorgan involvement. Overlap syndromes represent a complex clinical entity, defined by the coexistence of clinical and immunological criteria of two or more rheumatologic diseases, either simultaneously or sequentially. In the context of pregnancy, these conditions are associated with a substantially increased risk of both maternal and perinatal complications, posing important diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
Case presentation
A 26-year-old woman with a prior diagnosis of overlap syndrome between systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis, who was 28 weeks pregnant. During the course of her pregnancy, she developed severe preeclampsia requiring urgent delivery by cesarean section. Despite the complexity of the clinical scenario, both maternal and neonatal outcomes were favorable.
Conclusions
Pregnancy in SLE–systemic sclerosis overlap requires individualized risk assessment before conception, careful evaluation of renal and cardiopulmonary involvement, continuation of pregnancy-compatible therapy, close monitoring for preeclampsia versus auto-immune renal disease, and coordinated care between rheumatology, maternal-fetal medicine, cardiology/pulmonology, and neonatology
© 2026 Maria Mercedes Araque Jiménez, Wilmer David Esquivel Plazas, Jhonatan Andres Portes Ortiz, published by University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.