How Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Affects Pregnancy

When antiphospholipid syndrome occurs it means that a person’s blood contains antibodies against specific types of phospholipids. Phospholipids are a normal and necessary component of human cells and most other living creatures. When a person has antibodies to phospholipids, this can cause small clots in the person’s blood and increase the tendency towards medically important blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis. Antiphospholipid syndrome increases your risk for many different health problems, ranging from strokes to cardiovascular problems. It can be caused by a diseaseautoimmune, such as lupus, or it can be a primary condition without any known autoimmune disease.

About 2% to 4% of the general population have antiphospholipid antibodies, and more than half of them have the primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. It is a factor in about 15% of women who have recurrent miscarriages. About 10% of people diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome will eventually be diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

THE SYNDROME AND MISCARRIAGES

Having antiphospholipid syndrome increases the chances of miscarriages in women. The reason for this is not clear, it is thought that the worst syndrome cause small clots in blood that block the supply of blood to the placenta, killing the embryo or the fetus.

Other researchers believe that the syndrome may interfere with the ability of the fertilized egg to implant itself in the lining of the uterus . It can be a cause for late miscarriages, although doctors are not sure what the role of antiphospholipid antibodies that they may have in early miscarriage is.

SYMPTOMS

People who have antiphospholipid antibodies have no symptoms, but the disorder can cause clots of blood and other health problems should evaluate a trained medical professional. For women, recurrent miscarriages may be the only symptom of the disorder.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing antiphospholipid syndrome can be tricky . Standard tests for lupus anticoagulant antibodies can be unreliable and sensitivity can vary depending on the agent used in each individual laboratory.

In general, when considering antiphospholipid syndrome as a possible factor in recurrent miscarriages , doctors look for a person to be positive for lupus anticoagulant antibodies or anticardiolipin antibodies on more than one occasion before making a diagnosis. Keep in mind that testing positive for lupus anticoagulant antibodies does not mean that a person has lupus disorder.

TREATMENT

Women who have been diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome have about a 70% chance of having a successful pregnancy with treatment , which generally consists of low-dose injections of aspirin and / or heparin.

Although this treatment improves pregnancy outcomes for women with antiphospholipid syndrome, these therapies can increase the rates of pregnancy complications in the third trimester, however, women with antiphospholipid syndrome generally need to see a high-risk specialist and have care. regular prenatal care during pregnancy.

Because antiphospholipid syndrome can be associated with other health problems, obstetricians / gynecologists often advise women who have tested positive for the condition to see a general practitioner or specialist to monitor the condition after pregnancy. . In addition, specialists do not recommend the use of hormonal contraceptives in women with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome as well, due to the added risk of blood clots.

If there are cases of this syndrome in your family and even if you do not have symptoms, it will be a good idea to go to your doctor to tell him that you would like to know, especially if you are going to get pregnant. This way you can avoid having recurring miscarriages.