Pregnancy outcome in recurrent spontaneous abortion associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: a comparative study of intravenous immunoglobulin versus prednisone plus low-dose aspirin.

Abstract

PROBLEM:

To compare the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) with prednisone plus low-dose aspirin (LDA) in treating pregnant women with a history of recurrent fetal loss having the antiphospholipid antibody (aPL), in terms of live-birth rate and maternal and perinatal morbidity.

METHOD:

A prospective, two-centers trial study included 82 recurrent aborters with aPL syndrome. Twenty-nine were treated with prednisone and LDA in one center, 53 received IVIG in the other center. Maternal and fetal outcomes and pregnancy complications were compared between groups.

RESULTS:

Live-birth rates were equivalent between groups (78 vs 76%). Mean birth weight was higher in the IVIG group than in the prednisone plus LDA group. In the prednisone- plus LDA-treated patients, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes were found significantly more often than in the IVIG-treated group (14 vs 5% and 14 vs 5%, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

In patients with aPL syndrome, IVIG treatment improved pregnancy outcome, with significantly lower pregnancy complication rates, when compared with prednisone plus LDA therapy.

• Authors: E Vaquero, N Lazzarin, H Valensise, S Menghini, G Di Pierro, F Cesa, C Romanini
• Journal: American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989) (Am J Reprod Immunol) Vol. 45 Issue 3 Pg. 174-9 (Mar 2001) ISSN: 1046-7408 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 11270643 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
• Aspirin
• Prednisone

Topics

• Abortion, Habitual (drug therapy, immunology)
• Adult
• Antibodies, Antiphospholipid (blood)
• Aspirin (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous (therapeutic use)
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Outcome