The use of intravenous immunoglobulin in recurrent pregnancy loss associated with combined alloimmune and autoimmune abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE
Several studies have evaluated the effect of intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG) in women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA). Data regarding the underlying immunologic abnormalities in these patients is scant. This study reports the pregnancy outcome and immunologic changes observed in a large group of women with RSA associated with well-defined alloimmune and autoimmune abnormalities treated with IVIG.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with three or more recurrent miscarriages were studied. None of the patients had identifiable alloimmune response to paternal lymphocytes. Twenty-four patients had anti-thyroid antibodies, ten patients had high levels of circulating immune complexes, and six patients had anti-cardiolipin antibodies. Five patients had Hashimoto's disease, one had immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and one had Crohn's disease. Twenty-three patients had more than one autoimmune abnormality. All patients received IVIG infusions (200-250 mg/kg) every 3 weeks during the first 8 months of pregnancy.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients (80%) had a successful pregnancy. Decrease of the level of autoantibodies and circulating immune complexes was observed in all patients who had a successful pregnancy. Only three of these patients developed measurable alloimmune response to paternal antigens.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study suggests that IVIG may be of benefit to patients with recurrent pregnancy associated with combined alloimmune and autoimmune abnormalities. This benefit was seen in spite of lack of detectable correction of the alloimmune abnormality in the majority of patients.
Department of Medicine, California Pacific Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco 94115, USA.
D D
DD
Kiprov
R D
RD
Nachtigall
R C
RC
Weaver
A
A
Jacobson
E K
EK
Main
M R
MR
Garovoy
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D000906:Antibodies; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007518:Isoantibodies