Role of Antiphos
Role of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Unexplained Recurrent Abortion and Intrauterine Fetal Death
Alaa El-Deen M. Ismail1, Ebtesam M El-Gezawy2, Tahra Sherif2 and Khalid A Nasif3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.
2Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt.
3Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt
Abstract: Background: Women with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) have a significant risk of reproductive failure and adverse pregnancy outcomes, the recurrent miscarriages, intrauterine fetal deaths, and intrauterine fetal growth restriction is significant among these patients. Women with a history of recurrent abortion and unexplained fetal death or a history of recurrent thrombotic episodes should be screened for the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. We studied the incidence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) factor in recurrent unexplained miscarriages and intrauterine fetal deaths. Subjects and Methods: We performed a cohort study among women who attended the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut University hospitals, Assiut, Egypt, between October 2007 and October 2011 after being referred due to recurrent miscarriage (≥ 2 consecutive pregnancy losses). All women underwent a standardized investigation sequence. Women with other reasons for recurrent miscarriage were excluded. Lupus anticoagulants and Anticardiolipin antibodies were performed for all cases. Results: A total of 927 women met the selection criteria, 164 women were selected for this study by virtue of having unexplained recurrent fetal wastage. These comprised 140 cases of recurrent (³ 3) mainly first and sometimes second trimester abortions and 24 cases of recurrent (³ 2) late intrauterine fetal death. An increased incidence of anticardiolipin antibodies was found in women with unexplained recurrent fetal loss. Lupus anticoagulants was found in forty five (45) cases (27.4%) anticardiolipin antibodies IgM and or IgG positive cases shows prevalence of fifty eight (58)cases (35.4%). The prevalence of APS in the studied group was seventy eight (78) cases (47.6%).Conclusions: All women with recurrent first-trimester miscarriage and all women with one or more second-trimester miscarriage should be screened before pregnancy for aPL.
[Alaa El-Deen M. Ismail, Ebtesam M El-Gezawy, Tahra Sherif and Khalid A Nasif. Role of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Unexplained Recurrent Abortion and Intrauterine Fetal Death. Life Sci J 2013;10(1):999-1003]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com 5
Keywords: Antiphospholipid antibodies, anticardiolipin; antiphospholipid syndrome; recurrent pregnancy loss.