Scleroderma is a group of diseases that affects connective tissues in your body. Connective tissues support your skin and internal organs such as heart, kidney and lungs.

This condition causes your body to make too much collagen which are proteins of a connective tissue. This causes connective tissues to become hard and thick and  can lead to pain and swelling in the muscle and joint.

There are two main types : localized and systemic. Both can be mild and severe with periods of remission (wellness) and flares (sickness). It usually appears in women of child-bearing age.  However with the right prenatal care, most women with this condition often have healthy pregnancies and babies.

The exact cause of this condition is unknown however scientist believe that hormones, genes and immune system may play a role.

Types of scleroderma and their associated symptoms

Localized scleroderma : This  affects only certain body parts such as skin and skin tissues. It sometimes affects the muscles too. This type doesn’t harm body major organs and usually get better or goes away without treatment. Sometimes it can be severe and cause lasting changes to the skin. There are two kinds :

• morphea scleroderma : Symptoms include the following :
  • reddish patches of skin on the chest, stomach , back , face , arm or leg.
  • these patches become firm , oval-shaped areas with a white center  and purple border around the center.
  • they dont sweat and have little hair
  • this condition usually fades away in 3 to 5 year
  • in rare cases , some people may have muscle weakness after morphea scleroderma goes away
• linear scleroderma  : This is characterized by
  • a line or streak of thick skin that’s discolored
  • it may be lighter or darker than skin color or it may look yellow
  • the line usually runs up and down a leg or arm on one side of the body
  • usually last from 2 to 5 years
  • it can last longer or go and come back
  • doesn’t usually leave lasting changes in adults

Systemic scleroderma : This can affect the whole body including the skin, tissues, blood vessels , major organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys. There are two types

• limited cutaneous scleroderma : It develops slowly over time and  is characterized by the following :
  • skin  that gets thick on the hands, fingers, face, lower arm and legs
  • calcinosis which is when calcium forms in the connective tissues of the fingers, hands, face and torso. These can cause painful sores that break through the skin
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon  which is a condition that makes your fingers change color when you are cold or worried
  • esophagus problems  which causes muscles of the esophagus not to work well and therefore making it difficult to swallow. It may also causes chronic heartburn or swelling in the esophagus
  • Sclerodactyly is when collagen builds up in the skin of the fingers. It causes the skin to become thick and tight. It also makes it hard to bend or straighten the finger
  • Telangiectasia is swelling of tiny blood vessels that makes red spots appear on the hands and face
• Diffuse cutaneous scleroderma : This develops slowly and symptoms include :
  • damage to organs such as intestines, lungs , heart and kidneys
  • thick skin on the hands that spread quickly over much of the body to the face, upper arm , leg , chest and stomach
  • weight loss
  • feeling tired
  • loss of appetite
  • stiff painful joints or swelling in the joint
  • swollen, shiny or tight and itchy skin

What is the effect of scleroderma on pregnancy ?

You need to talk to you health care provider first if you have scleroderma and planning on getting pregnant.  The condition may affect when it is safe to get pregnant.

Localized scleroderma may not affect your pregnancy at all. However systemic scleroderma  can cause serious problems with your heart, lung and kidneys which is likely to occur during the first 3 years of your symptoms. This may cause problems for you and your baby. It is therefore not recommended to get pregnant during the first 3 years.

Systemic scleroderma can cause the following pregnancy problems .

• preeclampsia
• premature birth
• poor growth of the baby
• cesarean delivery

How do i  know if i have scleroderma ?

To diagnose this condition, your doctor will check your symptoms and review your medical history. He will also do the following :

• physical exam  to check skin conditions and the symptoms
• skin biopsy
• blood test
• x-ray or CT scan

How is scleroderma treated during pregnancy ?

There is currently no way to prevent the body from making too much collagen. Several medication are used to treat this condition, some of which are not safe during pregnancy. Talk to your health care provide if you’re being treated for scleroderma and planing to get pregnant. Some of these medications can cause birth defect when used during pregnancy. Medications include

• immunosuppressives
• corticosteroids
• heartburn medication
• medications to lower blood pressure in the lung
• angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

If you have scleroderma and pregnant, you will be treated by a high risk obstetrician  who is a doctor who treats women with serious medical conditions. You may also see other doctors depending on the type you have.