Should anticardiolipin tests be performed in otherwise healthy pregnant women?

Article Abstract:

Some studies have indicated that pregnant women who test positive for antibodies that bind phospholipids have an increased risk for recurrent pregnancy loss and arterial or venous thrombosis. The anticardiolipin test appears to be the most sensitive test available for detecting these antibodies. It remains controversial whether the presence of these antibodies has any meaning for healthy pregnant women and thus whether they should have an anticardiolipin test performed. To examine this issue further, 1,449 women admitted to an obstetric ward of a hospital were tested and the outcomes of their pregnancies were monitored. Results were compared with those of 40 pregnant women suffering from antiphospholipid syndrome. IgG antibodies were present in 26 (1.79 percent) of the 1,449 women and IgM antibodies were present in 63 (4.3 percent) of the women. Antibody levels in the healthy women who tested positive were significantly lower than in women who had antiphospholipid syndrome. Stillbirths occurred in four of the 1,449 pregnancies, none for mothers who tested positive for the antibodies. No complications occurred in 21 of 23 women positive for IgG and in 54 of 63 women positive for IgM. Preeclampsia (high blood pressure related to pregnancy) occurred in 62 women, of whom four tested positive. A positive anticardiolipin test was not correlated with a poorer outcome of pregnancy or with pregnancy complications. These results indicate such testing is unnecessary for healthy pregnant women. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Causes of, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications, Anticardiolipin antibodies, Fetal death

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Pathogenic antibodies in women with obstetric features of antiphospholipid syndrome who have negative test results for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies

Article Abstract:

Some women with negative tests for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies may have immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels that can cause fetal death. Researchers analyzed the blood of 39 women with antiphospholipid syndrome but who had negative tests for lupus and anticardiolipin antibodies. These women had histories of unexplained fetal death or miscarriage. Blood was then injected into pregnant mice. Mice injected with blood containing IgG experienced fetal death. Live pregnant mice may be used to test human blood for the presence of IgG. IgG and other autoimmune disorders may possibly be treatable.

Health aspects, Antiphospholipid syndrome, Immunoglobulin G, Miscarriage

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