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Prevalence of antiphospholipid and antinuclear antibodies in children with epilepsy

Tamás Constantin1, Tamás Kálovics, Andrea Ponyi

  • 12nd Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary. ctamas@gyer2.sote.hu

Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research
|April 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

In children with epilepsy, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) like anticardiolipin and anti-beta2GPI were less prevalent than expected. Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) positivity suggests including coagulation studies in neuroimmunological assessments for suspected antiphospholipid syndrome (APS).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Autoimmunology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune condition linked to thrombosis and pregnancy loss, identified by antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs).
  • The role of aPLs in pediatric epilepsy remains unclear, necessitating further investigation into their prevalence and clinical significance in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of specific antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) including antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-beta2-glycoprotein I (anti-beta2GPI), and lupus anticoagulant (LAC) in children with epilepsy.
  • To explore the potential clinical relevance of these antibodies in the neuroimmunological assessment of pediatric epilepsy patients.

Main Methods:

  • Serological testing for ANA, anti-beta2GPI, and aCL antibodies was performed.
  • Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) testing was also conducted.
  • The study included 60 consecutive pediatric epilepsy patients from a single Hungarian center.

Main Results:

  • Antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity was observed in nearly 50% of patients, with 20% showing moderate titers.
  • Anti-C1q antibodies were detected in 4 cases, all asymptomatic for lupus renal manifestations.
  • Anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies were found in only one child, while 6 out of 43 patients tested positive for lupus anticoagulant (LAC). Notably, 5 LAC-positive patients were also ANA positive.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of aCL and anti-beta2GPI antibodies in children with epilepsy was lower than previously reported.
  • The higher rate of LAC positivity suggests that coagulation studies are crucial for the neuroimmunological evaluation of pediatric epilepsy patients with suspected APS.
  • The findings underscore the importance of pediatric rheumatologists in managing children with idiopathic epilepsy or autoimmune diseases secondary to antiepileptic drugs.
Abstract

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