The significance of antiphospholipid antibodies in pregnant women with chronic hypertension

Gerda G. Zeeman, James M. Alexander, Donald D. McIntire, Kenneth J. Leveno

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to perform antiphospholipid antibody screening in women with chronic hypertension to assess whether the presence of such antibodies is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Serum for anticardiolipin antibodies and lupus anticoagulant was obtained in pregnant women with chronic hypertension who had no other indications for such testing. The primary outcomes of interest were the development of superimposed preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and fetal growth restriction. Only 8 (9%) of the 87 women enrolled tested positive (> 95th percentile) for anticardiolipin immunoglobulin G. None tested positive for lupus anticoagulant. The presence of antiphospholipid antibodies was not associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. We were unable to demonstrate that screening for antiphospholipid antibodies is a useful clinical practice in women whose only pregnancy complication was chronic hypertension. The significance of such antibodies in this particular group of patients can only be resolved with a large multicenter study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)275-279
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Perinatology
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2004

Keywords

  • Antiphospholipid antibody
  • Chronic hypertension
  • Preeclampsia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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