title: Recurrent pregnancy loss and antiphospholipid syndrome: an overlooked association.
abstract: Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), a thrombophilic condition, is being increasingly recognised as an important cause of recurrent pregnancy loss, preeclampsia and possible infertility. It could occur as a primary condition or it may be secondary to connective tissue diseases, infections or malignancies. Though recurrent pregnancy loss is a common feature ofAPS, there are other presentations attributable to thrombosis. The mechanism of thrombosis is still not completely understood but there are various suggested mechanisms. Presence of anti-cardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and lupus anticoagulant (LAC) are diagnostic. Management is variously with heparin, aspirin and warfarin, although other treatment modalities are being deployed. A high index of suspicion is needed for this otherwise treatable condition. Management is ideally best done by an obstetrician and a rheumatologist.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria. femiadelowo2003@yahoo.com
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adelowo
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adetoro
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin / Q000097:blood; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D017153:Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D016682:Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor