Antiphospholipid syndrome and pregnancy

Antiphospholipid syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease that has been closely linked to some cases of recurrent miscarriage. Antiphospholipid syndrome increases blood clotting and can cause dangerous blood clots (thrombosis) and circulatory problems. For some women, the only sign of this condition is an early miscarriage, a later pregnancy loss related to a poorly functioning placenta, or preeclampsia.

Women with antiphospholipid syndrome are treated during pregnancy with blood-thinning medicines (heparin, aspirin, or both) to prevent clotting problems and pregnancy loss. Success rates as high as 75% have been reported with this treatment.¹

There are other types of blood-clotting disorders (thrombophilias) that can cause similar pregnancy problems. If needed, your health professional can test for various blood-clotting disorders.

Citations

1. Reindollar RH (2000). Contemporary issues for spontaneous abortion: Does recurrent abortion exist? Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, 27(3): 541–554.