Autoimmune hepatitis complicated with antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
There are few reports on the association between autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and antiphospholipid syndrome; only five reports were found on a MEDLINE search between 1966 and 2001. Therefore, the etiology and the optimal treatment of them are not clear.


METHODS
We encountered a case of AIH complicated by antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy. We present the clinical course and treatment of this case, and discuss some problems in managing such a patient.


RESULTS
The patient received low-dose prednisolone and low-dose aspirin and delivered a live-born infant at term without any adverse effects.


CONCLUSIONS
In this case, there was no relation between the variation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the one of beta2-glycoprotein I (GPI)-dependent anticardiolipin antibody. It is supposed that there was no relation between the activity of AIH and the one of antiphospholipid syndrome, and it is also supposed that one is not secondary to the other.
Tanaka
Hirohiko
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie Prefectural Shima Hospital, Ago, Japan. hirohiko@ztv.ne.jp
Umekawa
Takashi
T
Kikukawa
Toyo
T
Toyoda
Nagayasu
N
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones