Autoimmune diseases are the third most prevalent disease category, outpaced only by cancer and heart disease. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system, which typically defends the body against harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses, begins to attack healthy tissues causing inflammation and damage. These disorders disproportionately affect women, with approximately 80% of all autoimmune disease patients being women. Understanding why these diseases occur more frequently in women, their implications, and how they can be managed is a crucial area of study in modern medical science.

Pregnant women are more vulnerable to infections and tend to experience more severe symptoms due to several physiological and immunological changes that occur during pregnancy. The immune system undergoes modifications to accommodate and protect the developing fetus, which is genetically distinct from the mother. This immunological adaptation involves a shift away from cell-mediated immunity towards a more anti-inflammatory state, which helps prevent the maternal immune system from rejecting the fetus.