Antiphospholipid antibodies and reproductive failure

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are characterized as heterogeneous and nonspecific autoantibodies directed against cardiolipin, ph-serine, ph-inositol, ph-acid, ph-glycerol, ph-choline, annexin V, and co-actor Beta2-glycoprotein I. aPLs occur during various autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, neurological and kidney diseases, transplant loss, metabolic diseases, and drug abuse. They are also found in connection with reproductive failure. Antiphospholipid syndrome (primary or secondary) has to be treated according to the type and levels of aPLs as well as clinical symptoms (such as repeated pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, repeated missed abortions, unexplained hypertension, repeated delivery of hypotrophic fetuses) by a team of clinicians such as rheumatologists, reproductive immunologists, hematologists, and obstetricians. Based on clinical experience a low dose of heparin/fraxiparine or a low dose of aspirin and corticosteroids is used. This chapter contains up-to-date information about the clinical and laboratory significance of the antiphospholipid syndrome.