Antiphospholipid syndrome and pregnancy loss

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are associated with recurrent miscarriage. Pregnancies that survive the first trimester risk developing pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation and fetal distress during labour. Pregnancy loss is initially caused by defective embryonic implantation and later by thrombosis of the placental vasculature. In women with aPL, thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy improves the live birth rate.