Shahida Mohsin, Amber Ilyas Lubna Riaz Dar, Ghulam Rasool, Shabbir Hussain M Ikram Ullah.
Levels of anti-phospholipid antibodies in females with recurrent abortions.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;7(3):156-9.

Background: Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APL) is an autoimmune thrombophilic condition, which is significantly associated with recurrent miscarriages. The APL antibodies (IgG & IgM) are heterogeneous and found in patients with recurrent abortions. The objective of present study was to evaluate levels of APL antibodies in patients of recurrent abortions. Study Design: Place and Duration of Study: The Study wad conducted in the department of Haematology, University of Health Sciences Lahore in collaboration with the Gynae & Obs department of Shalamar hospital Lahore. Materials and Methods: It was a case control study. Blood samples were collected from 47 patients and 20 controls. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were done on the patients of recurrent abortions and APL antibodies were detected by ELISA method. Results: In this study overall positivity of APL antibodies was 42%. Mean levels of antiphospholipid IgM and IgG in patients were significantly higher in patients than control (P< 0.05). Out of 20 positive patients, 13 were positive for APL IgM and 3 were positive for APL IgG while both (IgM and IgG) were simultaneously found in 4 patients. Most of the abortions occurred in first 58 (78%) and second trimester 16 (22%) of pregnancy. None in third trimester. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that elevated levels of APL antibodies (IgG and IgM ) indicate a higher-risk pregnancy and unexplained miscarriages can occur in these patients.

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