Consequences of antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy - A review
Authors:   Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, Pristina, Kosovo, Gashi Astrit M. ,   Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina, Pristina, Kosovo
Published: September 2023

Background and objectives. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in the blood. Antiphospholipid syndrome is defined by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, including lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, and anti-beta-2 glycoprotein I antibodies. These antibodies target phospholipids-binding proteins and can leading to various clinical manifestations and complications of thromboembolic nature. Also, the antiphospholipid syndrome is strongly linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including recurrent miscarriages, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Placental dysfunction, impaired blood flow to the fetus, and thrombotic events within the placenta contribute to these complications. The purpose of this review was the research of consequences of antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy. Materials and methods. This research involves systematically reviewing and analyzing existing literature on consequences of antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy. For relevant literature, academic databases like Pub Med, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were used. Search terms and keywords that were used to search for relevant literature in databases was: antiphospholipid syndrome; pregnancy; consequences, and Boolean operator (AND, OR). The criteria used to include literature in this review were; publication date, language, study objectives, study design, research methodology, key findings, and relevance to my research question. For citation and referencing were used the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard and Vancouver). Results. The main findings in this review were that antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) of characterizing by dysregulation of the immune system and the production of autoantibodies. These autoantibodies can target various cells and proteins, leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and disrupted physiological processes. This syndrome is associated with a prothrombotic state, increasing the risk of blood clots in veins and arteries. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) can affect multiple organs and systems, including the skin, kidneys, heart, and central nervous system. Thrombotic events can occur in various organs, leading to deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, strokes, and other thromboembolic complications. Also, the antiphospholipid syndrome is strongly linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including recurrent miscarriages, fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Placental dysfunction, impaired blood flow to the fetus, and thrombotic events within the placenta contribute to these complications. Manifestations may include skin rashes (livedo reticularis), kidney involvement (glomerulonephritis), heart valve abnormalities, and neurological symptoms etc. Conclusions. We come to the conclusion that it is essential for the pregnant women with antiphospholipid syndrome to receive close monitoring and appropriate management to reduce the risk and severity of these pregnancy complications. This may include interventions such as anticoagulation therapy, regular prenatal care, monitoring of fetal growth and wellbeing, and prompt management of complications. A multidisciplinary approach involving obstetricians, rheumatologists, and other healthcare professionals is often necessary to optimize outcomes for both the mother and the baby.