Am J Perinatol 1992; 9(3): 146-151
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999308
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1992 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Obstetric Performance in Patients with the Lupus Anticoagulant and/or Anticardiolipin Antibodies

Helain J. Landy, Craig Kessler, William K. Kelly, Allan B. Weingold
  • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Antiphospholipid antibodies, notably the lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies, are associated with recurrent fetal wastage, pregnancy complications, and thromboses. Aggressive medical treatment using aspirin and steroids has been recommended. Fifty-one patients with antiphospholipid antibodies, only four with underlying connective tissue disorders, were followed through 53 pregnancies. Aggressive therapy was used in 33 pregnancies, 90.9% of which resulted in successful obstetric outcomes, a highly statistically significant difference compared with previous pregnancies in the same patients. Most pregnancies among nine patients receiving single-agent therapy (aspirin or steroids alone) and eight patients not treated also had successful outcomes. A 48.6% complication rate was found in association with therapy, particularly gestational diabetes mellitus. There was no statistical correlation between dose or duration of therapy and development of treatment-related complications. Although a subgroup of patients with antiphospholipid antibodies will benefit from aggressive therapy, the high complication rate warrants close observation.