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Antinuclear antibodies during pregnancy.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were detected in healthy pregnant women across all trimesters. These findings suggest maternal ANA are generally not linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes or offspring abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
- Perinatology
Background:
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are autoantibodies targeting cell nuclei.
- Their presence during pregnancy requires investigation regarding potential maternal-fetal implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of ANA in healthy pregnant women throughout gestation.
- To assess the association between maternal ANA and pregnancy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunofluorescence assay used to detect ANA in serum samples.
- Samples included first, second, and third trimester sera from 100 pregnant women.
- Umbilical cord sera and sera from 76 nonpregnant controls were analyzed for comparison.
Main Results:
- ANA were detected in 18% (1st), 21% (2nd), and 21% (3rd) of pregnant women at 1:80 dilution.
- Prevalence in cord sera was 15% at 1:80 dilution.
- ANA frequencies in pregnant women were not significantly higher than in nonpregnant controls.
Conclusions:
- Maternal ANA are frequently detected during pregnancy.
- The presence of ANA during pregnancy is not generally associated with pregnancy abnormalities or adverse offspring outcomes.