Pregnancy complicated by primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome is a clinical entity that may threaten the health of both fetus and mother.


METHODS
We report a fatal case of primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in a woman who developed catastrophic disease due to multisystem thrombosis in the postpartum period following a fetal death. Three years before her admission, primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was diagnosed on the basis of high titers of immunoglobulin G anticardiolipin antibody, a positive lupus anticoagulant, a false-positive VDRL, and fibrin deposits in the biopsy of a palmar lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
The physician must recognize the potentially catastrophic complications of pregnancy and the postpartum period in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies, and appropriate patient counseling should be provided.
Hochfeld
M
M
Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University Medical School, California.
Druzin
M L
ML
Maia
D
D
Wright
J
J
Lambert
R E
RE
McGuire
J
J
D000328:Adult; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications