Author Description

In this book an international team of medical experts examines the important relationship between pregnancy and rheumatic diseases. The first section reviews fundamental concepts and recent research, including the immunology of pregnancy, and hormonal and epidemiological aspects of rheumatic diseases. Additional chapters focus on such specific diseases as systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and seronegative spondarthritis. Other topics include anticardiolipin antibodies and their relation to thrombosis and fetal loss, and hereditary abnormalities of collagen and their impact upon pregnancy. Other organ-specific autoimmune diseases are also covered. Combining elements of basic pathology and clinical practice, this comprehensive text also features chapters on drug treatment, infertility, and rehabilitation, providing invaluable practical information for all clinicians who care for pregnant patients with rheumatic diseases.