Publication:

Prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies

Background Immunological cause play an important role in abnormal pregnancy outcome, in which antiphospholipid syndrome is one of the growing cause of concern. The objective of the study was to investigate serologic prediction of adverse pregnancy outcome in patients with antiphospholipid antibody (APL) and to test the hypothesis that a serologic variable can identify women at highest risk of adverse pregnancy outcome.

Methods A cross sectional, observational study  including total 250 pregnant women, divided in five groups including patients with recurrent abortion ,patients with IUGR, patients with pre eclampsia, patients with preterm labour having 50 patients each and control group of 50 pregnant females without any complications. Comparison of each group for the presence of anti phospholipid antibodies (both IgG and IgM) with control group was performed. Data collected were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.

Results Antiphospholipid antibodies in patients of obstetric and fetal complications were abnormally high. IgG antibody was found in pre-eclampsia (62%), prematurity (54%), recurrent fetal loss (44%) and intrauterine growth retardation (54%), IgM antibody was also found in pre-eclampsia (54%), prematurity (32%), recurrent fetal loss (30%) and intrauterine growth retardation (40%). Presence of IgG antiphospholipid antibody in comparison with controls is statistically significant in patient of preeclampsia and recurrent fetal loss.

Conclusions Early autoimmune screening for antiphospholipid antibodies (IgM, IgG) of pregnant ladies was found to be effective tool in predilection of obstetric and fetal complications.