Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

Lupus is an auto-immune disease, which mostly affects women, can involve almost any organ, and has a tendency to flare during pregnancy. Until about 20 years ago, many young women with lupus were often recommended to avoid pregnancy because of the potential for complications. However, with modern management, currently many women with lupus can attempt to have babies, albeit with close monitoring and appropriate medications. Yet, in women with lupus, the risk of pregnancy complications is much higher than in healthy women. Low-dose aspirin ("baby aspirin") has shown a good effect in reducing the risk of certain pregnancy complications in women at high risk. However, to date, no study has evaluated the use of aspirin to prevent adverse pregnancy complications in a group composed solely of women with lupus. Thus, through the current application, our team is requesting funds to support activities to discuss the potential benefits of aspirin in lupus pregnancies and plan a study on the use of aspirin for prevention of pregnancy complications in women with lupus.