Antiphospholipid antibodies and pregnancy: maternal implications.
Antiphospholipid antibodies are associated with a spectrum of serious medical conditions. Several of these are of special concern to the obstetrician because they have a tendency to occur during pregnancy. Untreated pregnant women with aPLA appear to be especially prone to thrombotic events, including stroke. Atypically early-onset preeclampsia occurs in a large proportion of women with aPLA and a history of pregnancy loss. Conversely, a modest proportion of women with early-onset preeclampsia have aPLA. Although rare, a syndrome of postpartum pleuropulmonary disease and thrombosis is associated with aPLA. Finally, certain neurologic conditions, such as TIAs and chorea gravidarum, appear to be related to aPLA. It is important to recognize pregnant women with aPLA so they can be appropriately managed in an effort to avoid fetal loss and thromboembolic events.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.
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Branch
D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000276:immunology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D010743:Phospholipids