Open AccessRecurrent first trimester spontaneous abortion associated with antiphospholipid antibodies:
Author(s) -
Marzusch Klaus,
Dietl Johannes,
Klein Reinhild,
Hornung Daniela,
Neuer Andreas,
Berg Peter A.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349609055029
Subject(s) - medicine , pregnancy , abortion , gestation , antiphospholipid syndrome , obstetrics , live birth , placebo , antibody , first trimester , gynecology , immunology , genetics , alternative medicine , pathology , biology
Background. Antiphospholipid antibodies, unassociated with an underlying connective tissue disease, have repeatedly been detected in women suffering from recurrent spontaneous abortions. Several therapeutic regimens have been advocated for pregnant women with recurrent fetal loss and antiphospholipid antibodies. However, most of these approaches were empirical, using several drugs simultaneously, and most reports describe single cases or limited series. Patients and interventions. In a pilot study, thirty‐eight women with a history of three or more consecutive first trimester spontaneous abortions and antiphospholipid antibodies were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. As soon as pregnancy had been confirmed, intravenous immunoglobulin was administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg bodyweight, and infusions were repeated at three‐weekly intervals until the 16th–17th week of pregnancy. Results. Pregnancy proceeded beyond the first trimester in 34 of the patients (89.4%), and 31 patients (81.4%) gave birth to healthy infants at 37 to 42 weeks' gestation. Conclusions. Although the results are promising, randomized placebo‐controlled trials are necessary to exclude the influence of other factors (e.g. intense obstetric supervision and psychological factors) on pregnancy outcome and confirm the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions and antiphospholipid antibodies.