ABSTRACT

This paper is a case report of a pregnant woman with systemic lupus erythe-matosus (SLE) complicated by preeclampsia, nephritis, pericardial effusion, and massive pulmonary congestion. Nephritis is known to be one of the most serious complications of SLE and is a strong predictor of poor outcome. She was a primigravida in the 27th week of gestation. In our patient, postgestational lupus flare up was noted. Risk factors included lower serum albumin, elevated serum ANA and anti-ds DNA antibody, proteinuria, pericardial effusion, mas-sive pulmonary congestion, and hypertension. Thus, our patient had many risk factors to develop preeclampsia and she died.