Antiphospholipid syndrome and pregnancy

Abstract

Antiphospholipid syndrome is characterized by arterial and venous thromboembolic events and persistent laboratory evidence of antiphospholipid antibodies. Obstetric complications such as recurrent miscarriage, early delivery, oligohydramnios, prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, fetal distress, fetal or neonatal thrombosis, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome are also hallmarks of antiphospholipid syndrome. This syndrome is one of the diseases associated with the most severe thrombotic risk. Changes in the hemostatic system during normal pregnancy also result in a hypercoagulable state resulting in elevated thrombotic risk. Thromboembolic events are responsible of the vast majority of maternal and fetal deaths. Administration of appropriate thromboprophylaxis helps prevent thromboembolic complications during pregnancy in women with antiphospholipid syndrome and also give birth to healthy children. It is important to centralize the medication and management of these patients. It helps in the thoughtful care of these pregnant women encountering serious problems. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1207–1218.