Chorioretinal Findings in a Patient with New-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antiphospholipid Syndrome after Stillbirth Associated with Pre eclampsia

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe chorioretinal findings in a patient with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) after a stillbirth associated with preeclampsia.

Study design

Case report.

Results

We report a patient with new-onset SLE and APS after pregnancy, who had a history of preeclampsia and intrauterine death that presented with bilateral visual loss after a seizure. Clinical findings of a unilateral vaso-occlusive retinopathy and choroidopathy associated with intraocular inflammation, serous retinal detachment, and vasculitis are presented, which responded well to immunosuppressive therapy.

Conclusion

New-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during or after pregnancy could occur, especially when complicated with preeclampsia, making it difficult to diagnose accurately. Pregnancy-induced hypertension retinopathy and choroidopathy, as well as chorioretinal manifestations of SLE and APS, can share similar ocular manifestations that can overlap and coexist in the same patient, and it is important to recognize them for an adequate management and follow-up.

KEYWORDS:

• Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
• eclampsia
• hypertensive choroidopathy
• hypertensive disease of pregnancy
• hypertensive retinopathy
• systemic lupus erythematosus retinopathy
• vaso-occlusive retinopathy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical considerations

The authors have the informed consent of the patient presented in the case.

Statement of ethics

This case report did not require ethics approval according to local/national guidelines. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. Any sort of information that might reveal the patient’s own identity has been completely avoided.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.