【Objective】To investigate the clinical features and associated factors of fetal preterm delivery in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). 【Methods】The clinical data from 251 SLE patients with 263 pregnancies were analyzed retrospectively. Associated factors for preterm delivery were analyzed by Logistic regression model. 【Results】 The mean age of SLE patients at pregnancy was 28.6±3.9 years. Live births and pregnancy loss occurred in 71.5% (188/263) and 28.5% (75/263)

respectively. Among the 188 live births

56 were pre-term births and 132were full-term births. The rate of preterm birth before 34 weeks was 39.3% and the number changed to 60.7% for those preterm deliveries after 34 weeks. Iatrogenic preterm birth was the most common cause of preterm birth

followed by preterm premature rupture of membranes and spontaneous preterm birth. The neonatal mortality rate of preterm infants was 3.6%

all of which occurred in those delivered < 34 weeks. The S/D value of SLE patients with pre-term delivery was higher than that of patients with full-term delivery (P<0.05). In multivariate analysis

hypertension (OR 5.7

95%CI 2.4~13.5

P < 0.001) and hypoalbuminemia (OR 4.1

95%CI 1.7~9.8

P=0.002) were risk factors for pre-term delivery. 【Conclusion】Preterm birth was associated with high perinatal mortality rate

especially for those delivered before 34 weeks. Iatrogenic preterm birth was the most common cause of preterm birth. Hypertension and hypoalbuminemia during pregnancy might increase the risk of preterm delivery. Fetal umbilical artery Doppler was recommended to be a monitoring measure for SLE patients during pregnancy.