A new study has found that many women with the autoimmune disease, lupus, may be able to achieve a successful pregnancy.

There are two main types of lupus - one affects only the skin, while the other affects the joints and sometimes the internal organs. The latter type, which is known as SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), is classified as a rheumatic disease in the same family as rheumatoid arthritis.

The condition occurs more frequently in women, usually between the ages of 15 and 45.

According to US researchers, in the past, women with lupus were advised not to attempt to become pregnant.

"There was a misconception, based on outdated experience, that women with lupus should not try to have children. Now that our treatments are more effective and we have a better understanding of the disease, we can identify a window when pregnancy is safe and outcomes are good for mother and foetus," explained lead researcher, Dr Jane Salmon, of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

She said that women were generally advised against becoming pregnant because of fears over the risks to their own and their baby's health, as SLE can cause complications during pregnancy.

However, she and her team assessed almost 350 pregnant women with lupus and found that eight in 10 had a successful pregnancy.

The researchers noted that many patients with lupus may be symptom-free for long periods of time, before suddenly experiencing a disease flare-up, during which symptoms return.

The team found that ‘most women with stable lupus, defined as limited disease activity and no flares during the time of conception and the first trimester, had successful pregnancies'.

"We learn from these results that timing is a most important element for successful pregnancy in women with lupus and that avoiding pregnancy during periods of increased disease activity is essential," Dr Salmon explained.

The study noted that of the women involved, just over 60 had poor outcomes, including one in 10 who suffered pre-eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure).

In 19 of the cases, the baby died, while 30 of the women had premature births or had babies who were smaller than average.

Those who experienced the most complications tended to have more active lupus at weeks 20 and 32 of the pregnancy.

Details of these findings were presented at the American College of Rheumatology's 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

For more information on pregnancy, see Irishhealth.com's Pregnancy Clinic here